Several community leaders came together Tuesday to discuss findings from an extensive analysis of St. Petersburg’s innovative Community Action and Life Liaison (CALL) program.
CALL is a collaboration between the city’s police department and Gulf Coast Jewish Family Community Services (GCJFCS). The initiative is unique, as it diverts nonviolent and noncriminal 911 calls and referrals to social workers – called community navigators – with no law enforcement presence.
Program and local leaders have touted CALL’s success since its pilot launched in 2021. The National Football League selected GCJFCS as one of only five recipients to receive funding and national recognition through its Inspire Change initiative.
Following two years of implementation, the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg funded a study by the University of South Florida Center for Justice Research & Policy to determine if program results are equitable. While the concept’s viability is undeniable after 757 days, those findings were mixed.
“We’ve had no injuries, no incidents of violence,” said Melissa McGee, special projects manager for the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD). “We took this research extremely seriously and are making changes and improvements because every program needs to improve in ways.”
FHSP held the discussion at its Center for Health Equity. The goal was to highlight CALL’s successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement – particularly in its response to youth. Read more
