The City of Shelton is one of 12 Washington cities awarded an Alternative Response Team (ART) Grant from the Association of Washington Cities. The $168,000 grant will expand access to mobile medical and behavioral health care in Shelton and strengthen local coordination among behavioral health providers and community partners.
A portion of the grant will support the expansion of the North Mason Regional Fire Authority’s (NMRFA) Mobile Integrated Health Program (MIHP) into Shelton. MIHP delivers rapid, community-based medical, mental health, and substance use disorder care directly to individuals in their homes, workplaces, and community locations, helping reduce reliance on 911 and emergency departments for non-emergent needs.
The MIHP team includes advanced practice providers and support staff who specialize in field-based care, including a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, a Nurse Practitioner, a Licensed Practical Nurse, and a Community Outreach Coordinator. To support the Shelton expansion, NMRFA will add a Certified Peer Support Specialist based in the south and central parts of Mason County. The Peer Support Specialist will use lived experience in recovery to build trust, assist individuals in navigating services, support crisis stabilization, and help reduce repeat emergency service use.
The grant will also fund a separate position: the City of Shelton-Mason County Behavioral Health System of Care Coordinator, created through a partnership between the City of Shelton and the Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (TMBH-ASO). This role will serve as a central point of coordination for local behavioral health efforts, bringing providers, crisis responders, and community partners together to improve communication, reduce service gaps, and strengthen collaboration across the system. The Coordinator will also track local data, identify trends, and provide regular updates to city leadership.
Since launching in 2023, MIHP has demonstrated strong outcomes in Mason County, including serving more than 1,500 patients, completing more than 3,000 visits, and preventing an estimated $6.5 million in healthcare costs. Communities with similar alternative response programs report increased safety, reduced call loads for police and fire, and improved connections to treatment and support.
The ART Grant funding period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and will help the City of Shelton implement a more coordinated, health-focused approach to behavioral health, substance use, and community wellness.
“This partnership with the City of Shelton represents a forward-thinking approach to public safety and healthcare. The MIHP model proves that when we meet people where they are, with compassion, skill, and continuity, we improve lives while reducing strain on emergency systems,” says Beau Bakken, Fire Chief for North Mason Regional Fire Authority. “We are grateful for the City’s leadership and are excited to expand this level of service to the Shelton community.”
“The partnership with North Mason Regional Fire Authority is greatly appreciated by the City of Shelton,” said City Manager Mark Ziegler. “This enhanced critical care for our most vulnerable community will reduce the impact on local law enforcement, EMS and hospitals.”
The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) awarded the funds allocated from the Washington State Legislature and the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA).