I move to authorize the Sheriff to submit the grant application and to accept the grant and execute all necessary documents, if awarded.

N/A

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is seeking approval to apply for the 2023 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Formula Grant (SCIP) administered by the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Assistance (OCJA), with the intent to support the Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST) project. The SCIP program is designed to address critical gaps in behavioral health crisis response and gun violence prevention across Nevada, with a particular focus on underserved and high-risk populations, including rural communities that face persistent shortages in behavioral health resources and crisis intervention infrastructure. The program prioritizes collaborative, multi-agency approaches and supports initiatives such as mobile crisis response teams, crisis intervention training, and technology enhancements to improve service delivery and data-driven decision-making.

MOST is a co-responder initiative pairing behavioral health professionals with law enforcement to provide specialized crisis intervention for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, substance abuse crises, or suicidal ideation. In recent years, Carson City has experienced a marked increase in behavioral health-related incidents, including a significant rise in suicides—13 in the first four months of 2026 compared to 12 in all of 2025. Despite MOST’s efforts, data indicate that none of the recent suicide decedents had prior contact with the team, highlighting the need for expanded outreach, improved data collection, and enhanced interagency coordination. The current manual, paper-based data tracking system limits the program’s ability to monitor client outcomes, identify service gaps, and demonstrate program effectiveness to stakeholders.

The proposed grant-funded project includes three primary components: acquisition of a HIPAA-compliant electronic medical record (EMR) software system to streamline referrals and case management; procurement and outfitting of an unmarked patrol vehicle to support the third MOST team; and the hiring of a temporarily contracted program manager to analyze data, coordinate outreach, and facilitate community education. These investments are intended to modernize MOST’s operations, reduce duplication of services, and improve the ability to reach at-risk individuals who may not otherwise engage with law enforcement or behavioral health services. The EMR system will be fully funded for 5 years by the grantor, the vehicle will be fully funded by the grantor, and the contractor will be funded for 18 months by the grantor.

The EMR system will allow MOST to document every interaction with persons experiencing mental health crisis within the Carson community. While the EMR system is HIPAA compliant, the intent is not to maintain medical records but to gather general information during interactions. The system allows MOST to create a profile for every individual and then tracks services provided, thereby giving staff the ability to avoid duplicating services and work already completed. Also, while it is not required of any other agency, the EMR system does allow for outside agencies, such as Carson City Fire Department, to add notes to existing profiles.

MOST has recently expanded to a third team, which has created a need for an additional vehicle. The vehicle requested in this award will meet that need and allow for the complete expansion of the MOST program to three teams.

The hiring of contracted personnel to track, analyze, and interpret data provided by the EMR system will allow MOST to more effectively serve the community. This contract will last for no more than 18 months at which time an evaluation will be completed to determine if the position is needed going forward. 

Grants Fund, Sheriff's Department Revenue 2752081-431010, Expenses 2752005-50XXXX - Grant Number to be assigned upon award (if approved).

The proposed grant application does not require a local match, and all initial eligible project costs are to be fully funded by the grantor, subject to the terms and conditions of the final award. The grantor has agreed to pay for the initial 5 years of the EMR system, including implementation and ongoing annual support fees, so supplemental funding will not be needed until FY32, if the Board desires to continue the program. Fiscal administration of the grant will adhere to the requirements for separate fund accounting and reporting as established by NRS 354.598005. Any future adjustments to the City’s budget or financial procedures related to this grant will be brought forward for Board consideration in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.

Do not authorize submission of the grant application and/or provide alternative direction.