Trending...
- Spokane: Phone Video Of Abduction/Assault Of Teen Leads To Multiple Arrests
- City of Tacoma Offers Virtual Workshop for Organizations New to Local Affordable Housing Development Funding Application Process
- FondoQuantaX Completes Core Trading Engine Upgrade: Refactoring High-Concurrency Architecture with AI Adaptive Algorithms to Navigate Market Extremes
Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
The Spokane Fire Department is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its Community Assistance Response Team (CARES) with the addition of a new social worker, who officially joined the team this week. This latest hire marks the final phase of a recent staffing initiative that welcomed two other social workers to the program. The expansion has been made possible through funding received from opioid lawsuit settlement dollars, reinforcing the City's commitment to addressing behavioral health and substance use challenges in the community.
Launched in 2008, CARES is the department's social response initiative to improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary EMS use by addressing social determinants of health. When EMS providers encounter individuals with needs beyond medical care, they refer them to the CARES Team. The team—usually social work students from Eastern Washington University—conducts home visits, assesses social service needs, and connects clients with community resources, advocating to ensure they receive necessary support.
More on Washingtoner
As demand for the team's services grows yearly, we are grateful for the additional staffing. With this expansion, the CARES Team will increase referrals following 911 responses to overdoses. The team will provide early intervention for individuals struggling with substance use disorders by connecting them to treatment resources and discussing harm reduction strategies. This added capacity will also allow the team to respond more frequently to requests from responding crews or provide same-day outreach, especially to unhoused individuals.
"The CARES Team plays a critical role in our efforts to help those impacted by the opioid crisis and struggling with substance use disorders," said Mayor Lisa Brown. "By expanding this team, we are increasing our case management capacity and investing in a model with proven positive results."
"We will be able to support the responding crews more and serve the most vulnerable populations in Spokane," said Sarah Foley, CARES Team Manager. "I love the work that I am doing with the CARES Team. Our team gets the opportunity to make a positive impact when people need help, and we get to work with an entire department dedicated to serving the community."
The Spokane Fire Department is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its Community Assistance Response Team (CARES) with the addition of a new social worker, who officially joined the team this week. This latest hire marks the final phase of a recent staffing initiative that welcomed two other social workers to the program. The expansion has been made possible through funding received from opioid lawsuit settlement dollars, reinforcing the City's commitment to addressing behavioral health and substance use challenges in the community.
Launched in 2008, CARES is the department's social response initiative to improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary EMS use by addressing social determinants of health. When EMS providers encounter individuals with needs beyond medical care, they refer them to the CARES Team. The team—usually social work students from Eastern Washington University—conducts home visits, assesses social service needs, and connects clients with community resources, advocating to ensure they receive necessary support.
More on Washingtoner
- Market Value Enhancement From 2 Important New US Patents Issued for Strengthening Hair Enzyme Booster Technology to Caring Brands (NAS DAQ: CABR)
- HELM Audio™ Partners with PQCrypto to Future-Proof Children's Hearing and Safety Data Using Post-Quantum Cryptography
- Wala Blegay to Announce Run for Congress in Maryland's 5th District on Feb. 4
- Luxury Lake-View Home Launches in Kissimmee's Bellalago community, Offering Privacy, Space, and Florida Resort-Style Living
- Sleep Basil Launches Revamped Diamond Mattress Collection Page, Highlighting Performance, Craftsmanship, and Personalized Comfort
As demand for the team's services grows yearly, we are grateful for the additional staffing. With this expansion, the CARES Team will increase referrals following 911 responses to overdoses. The team will provide early intervention for individuals struggling with substance use disorders by connecting them to treatment resources and discussing harm reduction strategies. This added capacity will also allow the team to respond more frequently to requests from responding crews or provide same-day outreach, especially to unhoused individuals.
"The CARES Team plays a critical role in our efforts to help those impacted by the opioid crisis and struggling with substance use disorders," said Mayor Lisa Brown. "By expanding this team, we are increasing our case management capacity and investing in a model with proven positive results."
"We will be able to support the responding crews more and serve the most vulnerable populations in Spokane," said Sarah Foley, CARES Team Manager. "I love the work that I am doing with the CARES Team. Our team gets the opportunity to make a positive impact when people need help, and we get to work with an entire department dedicated to serving the community."
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- Star-powered Kappa Takeover Weekend Returns to the DMV June 18- 21, 2026, Hosted By Comedian Joe Clair W/ Dj Quick Silva (the Party Kingpin)
- Tacoma: Homicide Investigation – 1200 Block of South I Street
- Welfare Check Leads To Domestic Violence Arrest; Guns and Drugs Recovered At North Spokane Apartment
- Scoop Social Co. Wins The Knot and WeddingWire Awards as Brand Expands Nationwide
- Denise Murphy Lenci Promoted to Century Fasteners Corp. – General Manager, Northeast Sales
- TiNY Puts Real Pets on the Payroll for New PetArmor Campaign
- P‑Wave Classics Launches Definitive New Edition of Hannah Webster Foster's The Coquette
- Strategic Expansion with 3 New Alliances — Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, CFR YS & flyExclusive Incentive Partnership: Off The Hook YS: (N Y S E: OTH)
- Super League (N A S D A Q: SLE) Advances AI-Driven Playable Media with AdArcade, Solsten, and Meta-Stadiums Partnerships, Plus Roblox Theatre Launch
- purelyIV Expands Concierge Wellness Platform with New IV Therapies, Memberships, and Digital Experience
- CCHR: Europe Rejects Forced Psychiatry—Landmark Vote Declares Coercive Practices Incompatible with Human Rights
- Crossroads4Hope Kicks Off Its 25th Year of Caring with the Launch of Free Breast and Colorectal Cancer Resources for Patients and Families Nationwide
- OpenSSL Corporation Advisory Committees' Elections 2026: Voting Now Open
- Good Vibes Club and Instant IP Forge Strategic Partnership to Secure IP Brand Value in a Booming Digital Economy
- Inkdnylon Simplifies Digitizing and Vector Art Nationwide With Clear Pricing and Guided File Support
- goldsilbermarkt.de Awarded "Business Champion" in Online Retail by DISQ
- InspireTech Global and SKADI Cyber Defense Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Autonomous Cybersecurity to Canadian Education and Public Sector
- Kaltra Expands Microchannel Innovation to Deliver Lower Refrigerant Charge
- Georgia's Lanier Islands Resort Tees Up for a New Era of Golf in Spring 2026
- City of Tacoma Offers Virtual Workshop for Organizations New to Local Affordable Housing Development Funding Application Process