Communities across the country face complex challenges at the intersection of homelessness, behavioral health, and crisis response. The City of Topeka has developed a model that bridges law enforcement, housing services, and social service providers into a unified approach. By combining mobile crisis response, homeless outreach, coordinated entry systems, and strong interagency collaboration, Topeka is improving service delivery, reducing duplication of effort, and building trust among vulnerable populations.
This article examines the background, programs, and best practices that have established Topeka’s approach as a model for other communities.
1. A Foundation Built on Collaboration
The City of Topeka’s Continuum of Care (CoC) serves as the lead agency for coordinating homeless services. Unlike many communities where the CoC is managed by a nonprofit, Topeka’s is led by the city government. This unique structure allows for direct alignment between local government functions, HUD funding, and community priorities.
The collaborative network includes:
- The City of Topeka Housing Division
- The Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) of the Topeka Police Department
- Nonprofit organizations such as the local Rescue Mission
- Mental health providers, healthcare systems, and faith-based organizations
From the start, the goal has been to break down silos between agencies through mobile crisis response and homeless outreach collaboration where information and resources flow seamlessly to those in need.
2. The Mobile Access Partnership: Services Where People Are
One of Topeka’s most effective initiatives is the Mobile Access Partnership (MAP), which brings multiple services directly to individuals experiencing homelessness. Operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays, MAP rotates to different areas in the city, providing:
- Mobile shower trailers and laundry
- Medical care from a mobile clinic
- Veterinary services for pets
- On-site connections to mental health services and housing programs
- Access to cell phone providers for communication needs
MAP’s approach reduces barriers to entry, allowing people to access multiple services in one location. It also provides outreach teams with valuable face-to-face time to build trust and gain a deeper understanding of each person’s unique situation.
3. Coordinated Entry and Equity in Housing Access
Before reforms, individuals in Topeka seeking rent assistance had to navigate a complex system of agencies, each with limited hours and different eligibility requirements. Many were forced to call multiple organizations—sometimes during small, restrictive time windows—making access to help a matter of luck.
To address this, Topeka launched the Equity Access Shelter (EAS) program. EAS provides a single access point for rental assistance, prioritizing those in the greatest crisis through a standardized assessment and scoring system. This approach:
- Ensures equity by eliminating “first-come, first-served” luck
- Directs resources to those with the most urgent needs
- Streamlines the process for both clients and service providers
4. The Behavioral Health Unit: Crisis Response with Compassion
The Topeka Police Department’s Behavioral Health Unit emerged from a tragic 2007 incident involving a person in a mental health crisis. Initially starting as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, it evolved into a comprehensive unit that:
- Pairs officers with licensed social workers in a co-responder model
- Covers crisis intervention, behavioral health calls, and homeless outreach
- Operates to divert individuals from jail and connect them with services
- Uses plainclothes uniforms and unmarked vehicles to reduce stigma
Co-responder teams handle the majority of mental health-related calls during the first and second shifts. All patrol officers now receive 40 hours of CIT training, ensuring the entire department is better equipped to de-escalate situations safely.
5. City ID Program: Unlocking Access to Services
One persistent barrier for people experiencing homelessness is the lack of identification, which is required for employment, housing, and obtaining essential documents like a Social Security card or birth certificate.
The City ID Program addresses this by:
- Verifying identity through law enforcement databases
- Issuing a one-year City ID card
- Allowing individuals to obtain a temporary state ID
- Enabling them to secure permanent identification and related documents, then
The program has opened doors to employment opportunities, housing, and access to benefits. Several local employers, including large national companies, accept the City ID while individuals work toward permanent documentation.
6. Using Data to Coordinate Services and Improve Outcomes
Topeka’s collaboration hinges on effective data sharing. Through a secure, compliant case management system, partner agencies, including the BHU, housing services, hospitals, and nonprofits, share relevant information on:
- Encampment locations and safety notes
- Client needs and service history
- Migration patterns of unsheltered individuals
- Resource requests such as water, tarps, or medical care
This shared system prevents duplication of services, ensures the safety of outreach teams, and enables agencies to respond rapidly to extreme weather, public health concerns, or urgent housing opportunities.
Key safeguards are in place:
- Law enforcement’s access is limited to designated officers
- Data is never used for enforcement actions
- Partner agencies maintain control over sensitive information
7. Mobile Readiness and Encampment Management
Recognizing the need for real-time data, Topeka developed a Mobile Readiness system for outreach and encampment tracking. Outreach teams can:
- Log visits and drop GPS pins to map camp locations
- Note safety concerns, such as aggressive animals or preferred worker gender
- Record services provided to avoid duplication
- Share the needs immediately with other agencies
This live data ensures rapid follow-up, prevents missed housing opportunities, and helps identify shifting patterns in encampment populations.
8. Enhanced Care Coordination
Enhanced care coordination focuses on standardizing data entry to ensure that every agency consistently records accurate and complete information. This ensures that:
- Any outreach worker can access the exact critical details for a client
- Location information is precise, often with grid coordinates
- Agencies can track service gaps, emerging needs, and trends in real time
The result is a system that operates more like a community-wide safety net than a collection of isolated programs.
9. Meeting People Where They Are
One of the strongest themes in Topeka’s model is meeting individuals where they are, both physically and emotionally. Outreach teams work in encampments, on the streets, and in informal community spaces. Building trust is essential, and that trust comes from:
- Consistent, respectful engagement
- Avoiding unnecessary enforcement actions
- Recognizing each person’s unique needs and situation
- Using language and approaches that are culturally and personally appropriate
This relationship-first approach has helped reduce resistance to services and improve long-term outcomes.
10. Funding and Sustainability
Currently, the collaboration is funded through a mix of:
- City budgets (including CoC leadership responsibilities)
- Partner agency contributions
- HUD funding allocations
- In-kind support, such as staff time and donated resources
Although not yet supported by dedicated large-scale grants, the network’s efficiency and cost savings, achieved through reduced duplication and improved resource targeting, have made a compelling case for future funding opportunities.
11. Lessons Learned and Best Practices
The Topeka team offers several lessons for other communities seeking to replicate this model:
- See the issues from multiple perspectives
Understanding the priorities and challenges of partner agencies builds trust and shared ownership. - Recognize the many causes of homelessness
Tailor approaches to each individual, whether the root cause is economic hardship, behavioral health, or personal choice. - Leverage partnerships
Other agencies may offer programs or resources you’re unaware of—coordinating efforts multiplies their impact. - Stay person-centered
Focus on building genuine relationships and using language that respects dignity. - Protect data and privacy
Clearly define what information is shared, who can access it, and for what purpose.
12. The Bigger Picture: Changing the Cycle
Topeka’s integrated approach is not just about responding to crises—it’s about changing the cycle. By combining immediate support with long-term solutions, such as housing, identification, and healthcare, the city is addressing both symptoms and root causes.
From responding to a mental health crisis with a trained co-responder team, to ensuring a person has a safe place to sleep, to helping them secure permanent ID and employment, every step builds toward stability.
Conclusion
The City of Topeka’s collaboration between law enforcement, housing services, mental health providers, and community organizations demonstrates what’s possible when agencies work together with shared goals, transparent communication, and a commitment to meeting people where they are.
For communities seeking to improve their mobile crisis response and homeless outreach collaboration, Topeka’s model offers a clear blueprint:
- Build trust through relationships
- Use data to coordinate effectively
- Prioritize person-centered care
- Leverage every available partnership
In doing so, cities can deliver not just services, but hope, and that is the foundation for lasting change.
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