CAPPA (Community and Police Partnership Advocacy) is an innovative program for law enforcement to partner with mental health, service providers, and the community to better serve the needs of people who are mentally ill and/or homeless. CAPPA begins with education and training of law enforcement officers, and collaboration with police administration as well as others in the community involved with this population. This includes community relations and community policing programs, businesses/associations, and mental health service providers.
The CAPPA Program provides: (1) full or half-day classroom workshops for law enforcement, (2) assistance from a Police Liaison for on-duty patrol officers, and (3) crisis or ongoing situation consultation to law enforcement. During CAPPA classroom workshops we educate police about the issues related to homelessness and mental illness: what it is, what to look for, interaction and de-escalation scenarios, jail diversion options, and other available community resources. During street patrol the CAPPA Police Liaison assists on-duty officers develop specific communication and behavioral tactics for engaging this population, and helps them to "navigate" individuals through available community resources. The CAPPA Police Liaison is a licensed clinician who also provides consultation in situations that may arise or have been ongoing. Over time, the CAPPA program aids law enforcement to become better equipped to engage and assist persons who are homeless and/or mentally ill. As a result, many people become linked with much needed services instead of being put in jail.
