Crisis Response Alternatives

Crisis response alternatives offer a new way to help people facing emergencies like mental health crises, substance use issues, or homelessness. Instead of police officers responding to every call, specially trained teams of social workers and behavioral health professionals intervene to provide appropriate support. This approach aims to reduce unnecessary law enforcement involvement while connecting individuals with the services they truly need.

Types of Crisis Response Programs

Communities use several models to respond to crises. Some send unarmed civilian teams to handle mental health and behavioral calls independently. Others use co-response teams that pair mental health specialists with police officers. Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) train law enforcement to better manage behavioral health emergencies within traditional response frameworks. Additionally, crisis centers offer safe, supportive spaces for behavioral stabilization outside of hospitals or jails.

What These Programs Handle

These programs address calls involving mental health emergencies, substance use, welfare checks, and domestic disputes. They often assist people experiencing homelessness, including runaway and homeless youth—groups that frequently face complex challenges requiring specialized care. For detailed information on services available to runaway and homeless youth, see A Guide to Services for Runaway and Homeless Youth in the U.S..

Growth and Effectiveness

Alternative crisis response programs have expanded significantly, successfully reducing arrests and use of force while improving outcomes for people in crisis. Many programs report high rates of de-escalation and connection to ongoing care. However, broad adoption requires investment, legal reforms, and collaboration among law enforcement, mental health providers, and community stakeholders.