Using MIH to Respond to Behavioral Health Needs: South County Fire’s Community Resource Paramedic Program

Innovation and partnership: the driving forces behind South County Fire’s Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) and Community Resource Paramedic (CRP) program as it responds to complex behavioral health, substance use, and low-acuity medical needs. By reimagining how emergency services provide care, the program demonstrates how interdisciplinary, innovative response models create better outcomes for individuals, first responders, and the healthcare system. Traditional emergency systems were not designed to manage the layered medical, behavioral, and social challenges many individuals face. The CRP model closes this gap by deploying multidisciplinary teams trained in medical assessment, behavioral health, de-escalation, and care coordination. By integrating CRPs and community health workers, the program breaks down silos, enables collaboration during crises, and ensures seamless transitions into follow-up care and long-term support. Innovation within the program also improves system efficiency. CRPs provide 24/7 on-scene assessment, treatment, frequently preventing unnecessary emergency department transports by connecting patients to community-based services. Longitudinal follow-up by community health workers supports continuity of care and stabilizes high-risk patients. South County Fire’s partnership with the University of Washington’s Behavioral Health Crisis Outreach Response and Education (BHCORE) Center strengthens training, peer learning, and program evaluation, demonstrating the value of strong collaboration between frontline responders and higher education.