City of Red Deer and Safe Harbour Society is launching their new Social Diversion Team to respond to non-emergent calls of individuals in distress for a one-year pilot. The team is specially-trained to offer front-line assessment, intervention, and support.

Red Deer residents are asked to call 2-1-1 and press 2 if they see someone who is need of non-emergent support. These may be issues relating to mental health, addictions crisis, or homelessness support.

“Our team will also respond and provide the following: transportation to a partner organization, someone that can provide clothing, meals, personal care items, etc. They will provide supportive conversations and warm transfers to appropriate services they can provide first aid and connection to harm reduction supplies,” said Steph MacDonald Social Diversion Team Lead with the Safe Harbour Society.

Issues you can call the Social Diversion team can include:

  • Someone who is inappropriately dressed for the weather
  • Someone who is likely to come to harm (or cause the harm of others) without intervention
  • Someone who is intoxicated and requires connection or transportation
  • Anyone who needs transportation to social services

The City of Red Deer hopes the project will reduce the numbers of calls and services for the city’s emergency and policing services. Throughout January, 9-1-1 emergency dispatch has been working with the Social Diversion Team and diverting calls to them when appropriate.  

“At the end of the day, the primary goal is to help our most vulnerable residents who face extreme challenges when in crisis. We also aim to reduce mental health and other social calls made to Red Deer’s RCMP community, peace officers and emergency medical services so our first responders can focus their attention on criminal matters and emergency medical response,” said Sarah Tittemore, City of Red Deer’s Chair of Systems Leadership Team.

The Social Diversion Team’s hours of operation are from 7 AM to 7 PM but they will be responding to calls 24/7. The hours are based on call volume data and may be adjusted at a later date.

Photo courtesy of the City of Red Deer.