Recovery Navigator Program in Spokane Builds Partnership with Downtown Police Precinct

The Recovery Navigator Program (RNP) team (pictured) in Spokane successfully worked to build a strong partnership with the Downtown Spokane Police Precinct over the past few years. Thanks to the RNP team’s prompt response to assist individuals in crisis who are struggling with mental health issues, substance use disorders (SUD), or non-emergency medical concerns (whether on the street or elsewhere), police officers from both the Downtown Precinct and the Behavioral Health Unit are now directly reaching out to the RNP team for help. When the police respond to non-violent, non-emergency calls in the downtown area, RNP staff are notified to assist, helping to prevent unnecessary arrests and bookings.

Darin Christensen, director of Community Services for Pioneer, said of the RNP “The success of these navigators comes from their ability to share their lived experiences in such a way as to quickly build trust. This allows the navigators to assist individuals who are deeply affected by a substance use disorder and an involvement in the justice system to be more willing to move toward real change. Their efforts on a week-to-week basis literally are saving lives.

The RNP team offers support and connects at-risk individuals with a variety of resources. Sarah Deviny, peer navigator, for the RNP said “It’s exciting to see police officers wanting and encouraging people to be successful! They are using other options now rather than arresting and placing people in jail for non-criminal behavior on the streets.”

The RNP team has three active teams serving the Spokane area; each ready to respond to calls and assess the situation on the ground. When a call comes in, the available two-person team is dispatched to provide immediate assistance to the person in crisis. They also offer follow-up case management to ensure that clients receive the necessary services and that they’re progressing well. Additionally, RNP staff can connect clients with peer support workers to further assist with their needs.

Paige Salveti, RNP program supervisor, shared, “We’re incredibly proud to have earned the trust of the Downtown Spokane Police Precinct. Our goal is to continue providing prompt, effective services that prevent individuals from entering the criminal legal system.”

Salveti emphasized, “I see our RNP staff as ‘resource brokers.’ We always need to stay on top of what services are available in the region so we can guide individuals toward the right resources that will provide the needed support to prevent jail time and/or incarceration.”

Paul Caldeira, case manager for the RNP team, added, “Resources are limited, and things can change quickly. We keep tabs on available shelter and treatment beds, open appointments at healthcare agencies, and housing program openings.”

Previously, the RNP team relied on referrals from other community agencies and the Spokane Police Behavioral Health Unit. Now, the team has developed a strong referral system directly with the entire police force at the Downtown Spokane Police Precinct.

A recent example of this effective partnership involved a police officer from the Downtown Precinct reaching out to the RNP team for assistance. The officer, along with an RNP team, met with an unhoused individual on the street. Together, they decided to send the client to the Spokane Regional Stabilization Center—operated by Pioneer—in case detox was necessary. At the center, the client was assessed, provided with a meal, a shower, and clean clothes. While substance abuse was ruled out, it was discovered that the individual needed medical care for an infection. The RNP team connected the client to a medical unit for care, and the individual is now staying in a medical rehab unit.

Johnny Saldana, a peer navigator on the team, said of the experience, “This is why the program was created. The participant was slipping through the cracks of the system, but the officer saw they needed help and we were able to navigate them through to the help they needed.”

The RNP team continues to work with the participant on securing stable housing when they are healthy enough to be independent. Follow-up is a key step to helping individuals on their recovery journey.

Salveti concluded, “Our ability to follow through on what we promise has helped build a strong bond with our partners. The police now understand that our staff can provide a fast response and offer the necessary support for people in need. It’s a win-win for the community – we’re preventing people from going to jail and instead connecting them to services that help them achieve their goals and find success.”