Twelve cities will receive grants to establish new and support fledging alternative response team programs.

The Alternative Response Team (ART) Grant program provides cities funding to create and support programs within different alternative response models including law enforcement assisted diversion (LEAD), community assistance referral and education services (CARES), and mobile crisis teams.

ART programs help communities respond to people in crisis using alternative methods. This includes more options to respond to non-criminal calls and provide appropriate alternatives to arrest. The ART program is unique as it allows cities to consider which alternative response model would best address the needs of its community.

The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) awarded the funds allocated from the Washington State Legislature and the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). After a review process, AWC and HCA elected to provide funding to 12 programs across the state.

Airway Heights
Auburn
Battle Ground
Centralia
Clarkston
Ilwaco
Kent
Lynnwood
Seattle
Shelton
Tacoma
Tumwater

Several grantees will use additional funding to support their ART program from their city’s general fund, partnerships with local fire districts, interlocal agreements with neighboring jurisdictions, and opioid settlement funds.

Communities that have established ART programs have reported improvements in community safety, a decrease in calls to first responders, and improvements in connecting individuals to services and programs. 2025 is the fourth year this grant opportunity has been available to city programs.

Founded in 1933, the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington’s cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and regulatory agencies. Membership is voluntary. However, AWC consistently maintains 100% participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns.