The Appropriate Responses Initiative (ARI) is funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money provided to Ramsey County and is within the county’s Violence Prevention Priority. ARI seeks to transform the 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center (ECC) dispatch processes, public wellness systems (Mental Health Crisis and Public Health), and community institutions to provide a wider range of options in responding to people in need. In some cases, a traditional response (police, fire, emergency medical services) is most appropriate. In other cases, a different response is needed to navigate longer term solutions to the current issue. Community Response will be a new response option that will be made available to all for communities across Ramsey County. Community Responders are people who are connected deeply to the community and have received training to equip them to address an assortment of needs had by 9-1-1 callers.
