E3 Initiative – Education, Encouragement, Enforcement

A Collaborative Approach to Tackling Pressing Issues in the Community

The E³ Initiative originated as a powerful cross-sector collaboration between the Evansville Police Department, Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, and ECHO Housing & Community Development to tackle issues surrounding homelessness, mental health, and community safety. Since its initial inception in 2020 the model has been expanded to support multiple issues in the community that see higher success rates when partners come together.

Formed using a hybrid of two different models (Sarasota, Florida and Indianapolis, Indiana Police Departments) and then adapted for our community in Southwest Indiana, the E³ Initiative builds on the values of Education, Encouragement, and Enforcement to create meaningful, sustainable change in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable members.

Why?

For years, service providers and systems have worked in silos—trying hard but often missing the mark. Despite well-meaning efforts, we’ve watched issues such as the cycle of homelessness continue. The various housing models offered rapid support, but for individuals with complex mental health needs or untreated trauma, housing alone wasn’t enough.

The E³ Initiative steps in to fill the gap.

We focus not just on getting people housed but keeping them housed. That means building relationships, enforcing boundaries, supporting recovery, and working together—across agencies, disciplines, and systems—to develop truly individualized, long-term plans for success.

Who?

The E³ Initiative traditionally brings together:

Law Enforcement: Using their role not just for safety and justice, but as front-line advocates who build trust and intervene early.
Mental Health Clinicians: Addressing trauma, substance use, and psychiatric needs with compassion and care.
Housing & Social Services: Building long-term support plans, advocating for stability, and ensuring that each client’s unique needs are met.
Judicial Partners: Integrating the courts, parole, and probation in a way that empowers—not punishes—clients working toward stability.
Community Members & Agencies: From shelters and treatment centers to outreach workers and volunteers, the entire community plays a part.
Diverse Stakeholders: Whether tackling issues of homelessness and mental health crisis, unhoused situations, or other focus areas of community development, recognizing the value of appropriate partnerships is critical to the initiative’s success.

The Three Pillars of E3

Education

We start with internal education, training providers and partners on the laws, systems, and barriers our clients face. This knowledge enables us to guide clients more effectively, using the right tools at the right time.

Encouragement

We meet clients where they are—literally. Home visits, outreach in the community, and personal relationship-building provide the foundation for trust. By showing up consistently and compassionately, we help individuals begin their path toward stability and self-determination.

Enforcement

Accountability is advocacy. Whether it’s assisting individuals with navigating court-mandated treatment, addressing community safety concerns, or navigating landlord-tenant dynamics, enforcement is about ensuring all parties—clients, providers, and neighbors—are safe and supported.

How is E3 Different?

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Shared Case Planning

Providers, courts, law enforcement, and others collaborate on a single, unified plan.

Boundary Setting

Partners agree to shared expectations, accountability, and communication standards.

Client-Centered, Trauma-Informed

We honor the voices of those we serve. Plans are built with them, not for them.

Flexible Enforcement

Enforcement isn’t rooted in arrests and handcuffs—it’s the concept of holding each other and our clients accountable to their goals. Its enforcing accountability and action to tackle issues and provide solutions.

A Culture of Collaboration

We’ve traded turf wars and silos for trust and shared success.

Real-Life Outcomes

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Coordinated Crisis Response at Housing Site:

ECHO Housing & Community Development staff collaborated with Evansville Police Department (EPD) Crime Prevention officers in response to a reported mental health crisis at housing site. Initially, the presence of a non-resident raised concerns about potential criminal activity, but upon assessment, officers determined no immediate law enforcement intervention was needed. Instead, they engaged with the affected resident, ensuring their safety until Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare (SWBH) arrived. During this time, a second Veteran approached staff, expressing severe mental distress and a need for assistance. ECHO staff remained with this individual while SWBH provided crisis intervention for both Veterans. As a result, both individuals were successfully connected to appropriate mental health services and have remained stably housed.

Long-Term Housing Success Through Pre-Release Planning:

After years of unsuccessful attempts to secure permanent supportive housing (PSH) for an individual with severe mental illness and a history of substance use, a coordinated effort was launched. EPD’s Crime Prevention Officer (CPO), SWBH, and ECHO staff engaged with the individual while they were incarcerated, developing a structured post-release plan tailored to their request for mental health treatment upon discharge. In preparation, ECHO staff arranged transportation and facilitated access to essential services immediately upon release, with continued support from SWBH and EPD. Despite ongoing challenges, including relapses and interactions with the justice system, the individual remains stably housed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the E3 Initiative’s ongoing engagement and intervention strategies.

Restorative Justice Supports Chronically Homeless Woman on Path to Stability

A woman facing chronic homelessness—complicated by a history of substance use, mental illness, and past evictions—was recently connected to individualized support through the E³ Initiative. Recognizing the complex barriers she faced, EPD’s Mental Health Liaison brought together a collaborative care team, including the woman herself, Mental Health Treatment Court representatives, the DATS program liaison, Aurora, ECHO Housing, and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare.

The woman remained at the center of the process, voicing her personal goals around sobriety, court compliance, and securing safe, stable housing. With EPD’s advocacy and coordinated support, she accessed emergency shelter and was granted a second chance at permanent housing. Today, she continues working toward long-term recovery and stability through the support of her care team and restorative justice pathways like Mental Health Court.

Intervention for Chronically Victimized and Vulnerable Female:

A woman experiencing chronic victimization and engaging in illegal activity due to severe mental illness had previously been unable to maintain stable housing due to her transient lifestyle. EPD’s Crime Prevention Office successfully removed her from an unsafe environment, allowing ECHO to provide emergency shelter. Simultaneously, Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare initiated intensive engagement efforts to connect her with mental health and stabilization services. The woman has since been placed into Assisted Living where she receives the necessary care to maintain stable housing.

Justice System Navigation to Prevent Housing Loss:

Several local residents struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders faced the risk of incarceration due to outstanding arrest warrants. Through close collaboration with EPD’s Crime Prevention Office, housing staff were able to navigate the legal system, advocating for appropriate interventions and ensuring that individuals can address their legal challenges without jeopardizing their housing. This ongoing effort helps residents comply with legal requirements while maintaining stability in their living situations.

Crisis Intervention Prevents Veteran Suicide and Ensures Public Safety:

In response to a community-based call regarding a Veteran in crisis with active suicidal intent, EPD’s CPO and ECHO Housing & Community Development staff worked together to locate the individual. Upon meeting the Veteran at Brentwood Springs, the severity of the situation became evident—he disclosed ownership of multiple firearms and reported experiencing extreme, persistent suicidal ideations. Understanding the urgent risk, EPD’s CPO worked through the court system to temporarily confiscate the firearms under a red flag law, ensuring the Veteran’s immediate safety. With intensive intervention and treatment, the Veteran stabilized and has remained housed while continuing to receive mental health care in the community.

Emergency Shelter and Stabilization for Woman in Crisis:

A woman experiencing a severe mental health crisis was transitioned directly from the streets into an emergency shelter. EPD’s CPO, SWBH, and ECHO staff worked collaboratively to assess and de-escalate the crisis, ultimately stabilizing her through hospitalization. Following medical intervention, she successfully returned to shelter, where she continues to receive support services aimed at securing permanent housing.

De-Escalation and Crisis Management for Veteran at Risk of ‘Suicide by Cop’:

In response to a high-risk crisis involving a Veteran who explicitly expressed intentions of provoking a fatal law enforcement encounter, ECHO staff and EPD officers swiftly intervened at the scene. Through careful de-escalation, the Veteran voluntarily surrendered and was connected to treatment services at Deaconess Crosspoint. This coordinated response prevented a potentially tragic outcome while ensuring the individual received the necessary care and support to stabilize their condition.

Get Involved!

Whether you’re a service provider, policymaker, or community member who wants to learn more or collaborate, we welcome your involvement. To stay up to date or get connected:

👉 Do you want to learn more?

👉 Schedule a tailored training or workshop?

👉 Learn how your agency can become a partner – contact us!

info@echohousing.org

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