Crisis Assistance and Response Mobile Team Services

The Vendor is required to provide a service partner to operate a mobile team for its crisis assistance and response (CARE) Service within the municipality.
- The mobile team will be dispatched by the call intake partner to provide in-person support to people experiencing crisis, including mental health crisis, suicidal ideation, homelessness, public intoxication, etc., within the pilot area.
- The team will also provide support to people sleeping rough within and outside designated encampments for people experiencing homelessness.
- Additionally, the mobile team will undertake outreach within the service area to identify and de-escalate situations that could become a crisis to promote diversion from police and other emergency service providers.
- The CARE service is a community-based program. 
- Ensure that services are delivered in an inclusive, culturally safe, and non-discriminatory manner, and are accessible to all individuals regardless of religion, belief, culture, identity, or background. 
- Services must be provided in a way that does not promote, require participation in, or be influenced by any religious or belief system.
- An intake and dispatch team that receives and evaluates calls for service, ensuring that the appropriate resources are dispatched to meet the needs of individuals in crisis.
- A mobile team that responds to individuals experiencing mental health crisis and/or social challenges. This team provides on-the-ground support were traditional emergency interventions, such as police, may not be the most effective solution.
- Collaborate with other stakeholders, including emergency services and community organizations.
- Provide culturally relevant care that addresses the unique needs of diverse populations.
- Collect and report on program data to support continuous evaluation and improvement and participate in an independent evaluation during the pilot phase of the service.
- Support Crisis De-escalation:
•    Engage with individuals using trauma-informed approaches to diffuse crises and prevent escalation into emergencies requiring first responders.
•    All interactions will prioritize compassion, dignity, and safety, ensuring clients feel respected and supported.
- Facilitate Safe Transportation:
•    Transport individuals to shelters, treatment facilities, transition houses or alternative safe locations within HRM.
•    Ensure vehicles are stocked with basic supplies and staffed by trained personnel to support clients onboard.
- Provide Emergency Outreach Services:
•    Address basic needs as part of crisis de-escalation efforts.
•    Provide emotional support, safety planning, and access to immediate resources (e.g., snacks, transportation, naloxone kits, medical supplies).
•    Deliver brief, crisis-focused stabilization to address immediate concerns and help bridge to longer-term services.
- Offer Personal Care and Wellness Supplies:
•    Offer naloxone kits and train clients on use.
•    Distribute safe sex supplies (e.g., condoms, lubricants) as part of a broader harm reduction approach, with sensitivity to individuals who may be experiencing gender-based or intimate partner violence. 
•    Where appropriate, offer information that supports autonomy, safety planning, and access to additional support related to sexual and reproductive health.
•    Provide other personal care products like hygiene kits (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc), feminine hygiene products, Sunscreen, Tick spray/bug repellant (summer time), as required