How does it work?
I designed the Aware Care Program as a way to help First Responders communicate with vulnerable citizens. I noticed that the state of Idaho kept having uses of force during crisis calls and I wanted to help. I realized that our First Responders are well intended and trained, but the same issue kept arising. It was an "interface" issue meaning the first responders didn't know how to interact with the individual. This is where their training falls short.
Aware Care allows vulnerable citizens or their legal guardian to register them with the county dispatch and provide information on how to interact with the vulnerable citizen. This might include a preferred name, sex of the responder, certain triggers to avoid, or ways to help de-escalate someone. The information is stored for one year and then self-deletes, thus forcing each participant to volunteer their information each year.
The database is low maintenance and administered by the county dispatch, meaning no law enforcement officer can access this information. First Responders are only told what relevant information they need prior to making contact with someone who is registered with the program.
It is having its desired effect in Ada County, other counties are following suit.