Hays Police joins county program to better serve residents with special needs

HAYS, Kan. — The Hays Police Department has joined the Ellis County CARE Alert Program, a voluntary initiative that allows at-risk residents to pre-register critical information with emergency responders to ensure more effective and compassionate assistance during emergencies. The county-wide collaboration includes the Ellis County Sheriff's Office and police departments from Hays, Ellis, Victoria, and Fort Hays State University, enabling first responders to access essential details about residents with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities; autism spectrum disorders; mental health challenges; or cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's or dementia before arriving at emergency scenes. Participants or their caregivers can complete an online registration at www.ellisco.net/757/CARE, providing information such as physical descriptions, medical conditions, allergies, and communication preferences that will be securely flagged in the public safety software used by Ellis County Communications Center dispatchers. "By having access to pertinent details regarding a resident's special needs or communication challenges before arriving on scene, our officers and county partners are better prepared to de-escalate situations, build immediate trust, and provide assistance tailored to that individual's needs," said Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. The confidential information is only accessible to authorized emergency personnel during relevant incidents, with registrations expiring annually to maintain data accuracy.

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