Noble ACT

Noblesville Police Department	NobleACT	Noblesville Fire Department

In 2020, Mayor Chris Jensen and the City of Noblesville joined forces with the Noblesville Police and Fire Departments to create NobleACT, a proactive and sustainable mental health collaboration to strengthen community-based responses through a partnership with the police and fire departments and area service providers. This unique program allows police officers, community paramedics, and mental health clinicians to provide linkage to community services and divert those in crisis away from the criminal justice system.

Since its inception, the NobleACT program has responded to over 6,000 calls for help to appropriately address issues like housing, mental health episodes, challenges associated with aging and premature birth, and addiction issues with the help of a crisis intervention specialist and K-9 therapy dogs Luna and Carbon. Together, we've reduced the number of repeat calls to emergency services from some residents needing support while connecting them with a full spectrum of resources that meet their long-term needs. 

• Localities in Indiana and throughout the country have sought out NobleACT to replicate in their community.
• Success examples include many top 911 super utilizers no longer needing 911 services as a result of NobleACT intervention.
• Hundreds of pounds of food, clothing, and hygiene kits provided to residents in need.
• Average number of active clients NobleACT is managing at a time is around 70-80.
  
  

ACTIVE CRISIS RESPONSE

• De-escalate the scene unitizing the expertise of the mental health officer, community paramedic, mental health clinician, and certified therapy K-9’s.
• The team will assess the patient’s needs and provide direct linkage to the most appropriate community-based services.
• Direct clients away from the criminal justice system and unnecessary hospitalizations.

 CONDUCT FOLLOW-UP SERVICES

• Follow-up on individuals transported to a hospital.
• Follow-up on individuals referred to the unit by police, fire, and community members.
• Provide case management services to assist those in their path to recovery.

CONDUCT OUTREACH INITIATIVES

• The team will conduct community focused outreaches.
• Conduct community education trainings.
• Conduct community awareness events.

“The success of this program will be achieved through strong and active partnerships with community organizations and we are pleased with the partnerships we already have on board for NobleACT. We are requesting community organizations interested in partnering with NobleACT provide a referral contact method that allows for a rapid connection between your organization and the client,” NobleACT Police Officer Ben Lugar said.

Any organization interested in a partnership with NobleACT or would like to receive more information should contact NPD Officer Lugar at [email protected] or call (317) 770-1420.

 

---

Community Resource Paramedics

The Noblesville Fire Department has three Community Resource Paramedics (CRPs) as part of NobleACT. The CRPs operate on 24 hours shifts at Station 71 and utilize a quick response vehicle to respond as needed. 

“In addition to the emergency care we provide to our community, the NobleACT program provides additional services related to mental health, chronic disease processes, and non-emergency needs,” Division Chief of EMS James Macky added. “With the implementation of a NFD Community Resource Paramedic and a NPD Mental Health Officer, this cooperative effort allows us as a public safety agency to bring mobile integrated healthcare services to those in need.”

The CRPs responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Directing triage and transport protocols.
• Ensuring a consistent delivery of Noblesville’s Incident Action Plan.
• Conducting patient follow-ups and work on patient referrals to the program.
• Launched the STEADI program. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html
• Launched Senior Outreach (email [email protected])
• Safety inspection of the homes looking for fire, slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Provide free smoke detectors and lock boxes to Noblesville residents in financial need.
• Install smoke detectors (do not rewire harnesses).
• Change smoke detector batteries.
• Install lock boxes for exterior keys.

This program has the built in flexibility to keep pace as the city’s needs change. Noblesville’s CRPs’ compassion, integrity, and knowledge will help make stressful calls easier for both patients and their families.

Fore more information, contact Community Resource Paramedic Dennis Parker at [email protected] or call (317) 770-1420.

---

Indiana community cares initiative

Mayor Chris Jensen announced the Indiana Community Cares Initiative, a statewide pilot program designed to empower communities to invest in proactive and sustainable paramedicine resources to rehabilitate at-risk Hoosiers while reducing public safety expenses across Indiana. The Indiana Community Cares pilot program will allow eligible local units to apply for an annual grant to fund the critical infrastructure needed to build these customized response teams in rural and urban Indiana.

“Through NobleACT, we’ve seen the need for and impact of a dedicated community response to mental health and substance abuse challenges in our city,” Mayor Jensen said. “The Community Cares Initiative will help other communities create similar programs to equip first responders to address these issues, ensure struggling members of the community are getting connected to resources and support, and ultimately help save lives.”

Mayor Jensen worked with state lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 10, which will empower more local governments to use the NobleACT model to address similar community challenges, just as Noblesville has prioritized the mental health of our first responders and community through NobleACT. We have proven its success in Noblesville and hope to see it implemented statewide and eventually nationwide.

“The Indiana General Assembly for passing HB 1385, which establishes the community cares initiative grant pilot program. This program is modeled off the success of Noblesville’s NobleACT program and is designed to assist in the costs of starting or expanding mobile integrated healthcare programs and mobile crisis teams in Indiana. It's encouraging that our state leaders are joining in my efforts to erase the stigma around mental health and empowering local units to build out customized response teams to better serve community members and our first responders. I'm grateful to the leaders of this legislation, like Senator Scott Baldwin, for getting it passed, and I look forward to Governor Eric Holcomb signing this into law.” -Mayor Jensen

---

Important Mental Health Phone Numbers

Aspire Crisis line - 317-574-1252 (24/7)

Community Hospitals Crisis line - 317-621-5700 (24/7)

NAMI Helpline - 800-950-6264

2-1-1

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 9-8-8 (24/7)

Key Consumer - 317-205-2500 (peer support 8am-5pm)

Resources

Clothing Assistance, Home Repairs, and Items	Developmental Disability Services	Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse Services, and Legal Assistance
Education and Employment	Senior Services and Insurance Assistance	Food Assistance
Grief and Bereavement	Housing Assistance and Shelters	Infant, Child, and Youth Services
Medical Assistance, Healthcare, and Free or Low Cost Clinics	Mental Health and Counseling	Pet and Animal Assistance
Rent and Energy Assistance	Substance Addiction and Recovery	Transportation
Veteran Assistance