Concord To Discuss Creating Mental Health Team, Expanding CORE

CONCORD, CA— The Concord City Council is set to discuss on Tuesday night expanding the Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE) homeless outreach team from half-time to full-time, and the creation of a new Mental Health Evaluation Team to work full-time within Concord.

Contra Costa County's CORE teams connect with unsheltered homeless people to provide or arrange and basic need services and secure permanent housing. CORE teams serve as an entry point into the county's programs to help the homeless.

Since early 2017, Concord and Walnut Creek have shared a CORE team. Concord now is considering its own full-time CORE unit.

For about 2 years, Concord has been part of a Mental Health Evaluation Team Program operated by Contra Costa Health Services and several cities, including Concord. That team provides provides connections to appropriate outpatient mental health services. It provides support, referrals and safety planning to family members as deemed appropriate.

The estimated cost of expanding the CORE team in Concord is about $100,000; the anticipated cost for the Mental Health Evaluation Team program for Concord is between $400,000 to $450,000. Funding sources haven't been identified for either program, a city report says, though if Concord voters approve the Measure V sales tax increase and extension in November, using that tax money to pay for these endeavors could be considered.

Tuesday's council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be held via Zoom.

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