New city policies will formalize — and expand — rules around how Portland’s mental health first responders do their job.

Portland Street Response, which sends unarmed employees to 911 calls related to people having behavioral health crises outside, has been limited in its scope since it was established in 2021, due to labor contracts, funding and political disagreements.

Under the policy changes announced Thursday, March 6, by Mayor Keith Wilson, PSR workers will be allowed to shuttle people to homeless shelters and addiction treatment centers, respond to calls that occur inside commercial and government buildings, and be able to respond to emergencies in partnership with other first responders, like police officers and firefighters.

“PSR personnel will be able to respond to more call types, connect more individuals to the help they need most, and create better outcomes for those they serve,” said Wilson in an emailed statement.

The policies, which still need approval from the union representing the street response workers to go into effect, signal a step toward formalizing a program that’s struggled to get its footing.

Oregon Public Brodcasting is a news partner of the Portland Tribune. Their full story can be found at opb.org.