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Faculty

Kimberly Hendrickson

MA
Co-Founder, Program Manager
University of WA, BHCore Center

Kimberly Hendrickson is the co-founder of the University of Washington's BHCore Center and manages statewide grants to Fire/EMS agencies with behavioral health response programs. She is also the director of the City of Poulsbo's Housing, Health and Human Services Department where she works on projects increasing access to healthcare, housing and social services. She oversees the city's Recovery Resource Center, a friendly, low barrier hub for health and recovery services in North Kitsap County, and an adjoining Recovery Cafe. Kimberly helped to develop the City of Poulsbo's police navigator program, the Poulsbo Fire Department's CARES program and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue's CARES program. She encouraged the growth of co-response programs throughout the state through the Co-Responder Outreach Alliance (CROA) from 2018–2023.

2026 Sessions

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

Yes, I understand

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.

Co-Presenter (2 Presenters)

Presenter (1 Presenter)

Friday, October 02 9:45–10:45 AM
Room W240 C
Community Paramedicine
Faculty

Kimberly Hendrickson

MA
Co-Founder, Program Manager
University of WA, BHCore Center

Kimberly Hendrickson is the co-founder of the University of Washington's BHCore Center and manages statewide grants to Fire/EMS agencies with behavioral health response programs. She is also the director of the City of Poulsbo's Housing, Health and Human Services Department where she works on projects increasing access to healthcare, housing and social services. She oversees the city's Recovery Resource Center, a friendly, low barrier hub for health and recovery services in North Kitsap County, and an adjoining Recovery Cafe. Kimberly helped to develop the City of Poulsbo's police navigator program, the Poulsbo Fire Department's CARES program and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue's CARES program. She encouraged the growth of co-response programs throughout the state through the Co-Responder Outreach Alliance (CROA) from 2018–2023.

Faculty

Nicole Picknell

PM
Medical Services Officer
South Snohomish County Fire and Rescue Regional Fire Authority

Medical Services Officer Nicole Picknell brings more than 35 years of fire service experience and 30 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Over the past six years, she has led the Community Resource Paramedic (CRP) Team at South Snohomish Fire & Rescue Regional Fire Authority (South County Fire), launching and expanding innovative programs supported through competitive grant funding.
South County Fire’s Community Paramedicine program has served residents for more than 15 years, evolving from a single CRP to a comprehensive division that includes 24/7 staffed CRPs, Community Health Workers, and dedicated day CRP. The team collaborates closely with neighboring fire agencies and local law enforcement.
FIRE/EMS and CRP serve as vital connectors, guiding individuals to appropriate care and shaping the next generation of compassionate leaders in behavioral health and community response.
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