This request for application invites organizations located within the Missouri Foundation for Health service region to apply for funds to bring together a multi-sector, community collaborative to engage in activities that challenge community norms of using law enforcement to respond to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

The goal of this funding is to support exploratory activities and efforts that focus on shifting a community’s understanding of and response to behavioral health crises away from arrest and toward connection to services or treatment.

This opportunity will provide support to approximately five rural community partnerships that must include a: ) community-based organization, 2) behavioral health partner, 3) public health, hospital or physical health provider, and 4) police department, prosecutor’s office, or county judge, who are all interested in working together in dynamic ways to address community conditions and drive sustainable improvements in community behavioral health.

Inclusion of community members who are consumers of behavioral health services or the families of such consumers is expected. Additional cross-sector partners such as businesses, K-12 education institutions, universities, and others that are aligned with proposed efforts are encouraged.