DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
IMPACT Team Update
SUMMARY:
In response to the need for a comprehensive, integrated strategy to address the issue of homelessness in the downtown area, which is often influenced by underlying mental and substance abuse issues, the San Antonio Police Department created the Integrated Mobile Partners Action Care Team (IMPACT).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
IMPACT is a collaborative effort comprised of members of the SAPD Mental Health Detail and the San Antonio Fire Department EMS Mobile Integrated Healthcare Team with the following objectives:
* Improve Downtown public safety and quality of life
* Accurately identify the immediate medical need(s) of the individual
* Create streamlined treatment process
* Introduce case management to achieve long-term success
The listed objectives are achieved through the IMPACT Program's multidisciplinary approach to address the psychiatric and medical needs of individuals by utilizing security, emergency detention and arrest authority as well as medical expertise and resources to preserve the health and well-being of the individual. In addition, multiple agencies offer a variety of resources to include: housing/social assistance and case management follow-up to promote long-term success. The ability of the IMPACT Program to effectively address the needs of the homeless has been enhanced through partnerships with groups such as the San Antonio Food Bank, Haven for Hope, Behavioral Health Hospitals and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless that are able to provide specialized assistance to referrals.
Since its inception in January 2016, the focus of the program has been to offer services to assist the chronically homeless who are defined as individuals that have been homeless for over a year or have a disability that has resulted in four h...
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