CARES Program Timeline
December 2019
City Council requests City staff to research and explore alternative response programs
December 2019 to August 2020
RTI study analyzes 911 call data and improve mental health response.
May 19, 2022
City Council allocates $800,000 from ARPA to expand the ACORNS Unit.
April 2023 to April 2024
City representatives visit various cities throughout the county to meet with alternative response programs. This included the STAR Program in Denver, Colorado, the HEART Program in Durham, North Carolina, and the Gateway Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
April 2023
City leadership discusses alternative response and mobile crisis program options with Wake County leadership. A planning group is formed to determine capabilities for a pilot program
November 7, 2023
City Manager's Office present alternative response research to City Council. Office of Community Engagement present options to engage with the community to gather feedback and input.
November 2023 to March 2024
Office of Community Engagement collects community input and holds engagement sessions with various stakeholders on alternative response program expansion.
December 2023
The City establishes an internal planning group to draft and develop alternative response pilots and identifying resources. The planning group includes representatives from 8 departments.
April 16, 2024
City presents summary of engagement findings and proposes an alternative response program expansion and pilot plan.
June 10, 2024
City of Raleigh presents the FY25 budget recommendations for alternative response program expansion.
June 2024 to January 2025
Planning and development of Crisis Call Diversion and Care Navigation teams
September 2024
City holds meetings with service providers and community organizations to provide updates and gather feedback
October 2024
The City signs a contract with Julota to provide data tracking and case management software for alternative response.
November 2024 to Present
The City advertises Care Navigation positions within the Housing and Neighborhoods department and announces Alternative Response Coordinator position in the City Manager’s Office with expected program launch in 2025