Palm Springs, CA
The Palm Springs Police Department will launch a new voluntary wellness program next month aimed at helping older adults, vulnerable residents and people with limited social support stay connected to community resources.
PSPD Connect is scheduled to begin Oct. 19, 2026, and will provide participating residents with regularly scheduled wellness calls from Palm Springs Police Department personnel or citizen volunteers.
The free program was championed by Palm Springs City Councilmember Grace Garner, Police Chief Kyle Stjerne and the Blue Zones Project as an effort to address social isolation while providing an additional level of contact for residents who may benefit from regular check-ins.
Participants will be able to select a call schedule that works for them. If a scheduled call goes unanswered, the Police Department will follow an established procedure to determine whether additional action is necessary. Depending on the circumstances, that could include contacting the participant’s designated emergency contact or initiating a welfare check.
The program is intended for anyone who could benefit from regular wellness contact, including older adults, homebound residents, people who are socially isolated and residents who have limited family or other support nearby.
PSPD Connect is centered on three principles — safety, connection and community — and is intended to expand the Police Department’s community outreach beyond responding to emergencies.
The partnership with the Blue Zones Project also incorporates the organization’s focus on well-being and social connections. City officials say the collaboration is intended to connect public safety resources with community wellness efforts and provide participating residents with both regular contact and information about available resources.
Family members, friends, neighbors and caregivers are also encouraged to identify Palm Springs residents who may benefit from participating in the program.
PSPD Connect is free and voluntary. It is not intended to replace 911, emergency medical services, home health care or professional caregiving.
Residents interested in enrolling in PSPD Connect or referring a family member, friend or neighbor can contact the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-323-8116 or email pspdconnect@palmspringsca.gov.
The program officially launches Oct. 19, 2026.