Stock photo
Stock photo
A co-responder pilot program has been under discussion that would involve social or mental health workers responding to certain crises.
According to the Chicago Contrarian, the three elements of the “co-responder” model preliminary design are: “(A) the embedding of a mental health professional into the 911 call center to assist in crisis management over the phone; (b) the coordination of support for individuals upon discharge from the hospital; and (c) the fusion of a certified Crisis Intervention Team officer (CIT) with a community paramedic and a mental health professional to respond to the site of a crisis call.”
To the Chicago Contrarian, the first element sounds “practical,” the second appears “relatively safe" and the last is seemingly the riskiest. All three options would require health workers to have the same training police officers have to defuse a dangerous situation.
It is good to note that there have been success stories in some areas such as Springfield, Missouri, and Colorado Springs, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, but “good fortune should never be mistaken for expertise,” the Chicago Contrarian said.
The use of the co-responder model is included in the bill which focuses on criminal justice and police reforms, HB3653.
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