The city of Kirkland’s Deputy City Manager of Operations, Beth Goldberg, was recognized by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) for supporting the creation of a local crisis response facility.

“I’m sincerely honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Goldberg. “While I appreciate the acknowledgement, the progress made has been an incredible group effort. I’m grateful for the work of our admirable coalition of cities, and team of staff members, community partners, and industry professionals responding to the mental health needs of our community.”

Goldberg’s recognition comes as an effort to stand up a crisis facility in north King County with Kirkland’s partner cities Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline.

“Beth Goldberg has been invaluable in supporting an alliance of northeast cities in pursuing the creation of a local crisis response facility for northeast King County,” said Councilmember Kelli Curtis. “It is not easy to stand up a new program, and Beth has shown determination and grace through the entire process.”

Councilmember Curtis also acknowledged Goldberg’s guidance in Kirkland’s new Community Responder program, including the hiring of four community responders. The program responds to 9-1-1 calls in coordination with Kirkland’s police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians when a call for service has an underlying behavioral health component.

A program already in place is North Sound RADAR, which works towards reducing the use of force and reducing crisis events in Kirkland, Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline.

According to Sue Romero, Kirkland’s Communications Program Coordinator, North Sound RADAR is likely merging with Kirkland’s Community Responder Program to form a Regional Crisis Response agency. The proposal is being considered by these five cities and if approved, the agency would begin operations in early 2023, said Romero.