Crisis Intervention Teams Expanded

Nov 12, 2022

Crisis Intervention teams will double after council approved their expansion and  availability at a recent council meeting using more than $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The Cleveland Division of Police mental health Co-Responder teams are made up of a Specialized Crisis Intervention Team officer and a licensed mental health caseworker. They respond in a collaborative manner to handle both live calls and follow ups on incidents where they were not on scene. These teams are able to assess the situation and refer persons to various mental health agencies.

A mental health dispatcher will also be added who will assist with intake of specifically mental health crisis calls, as there is consensus in research from cities across the U.S. that dispatch centers need to be better equipped with handling mental health calls.

This staff member will start in the second year to allow for further planning and ensure maximum effectiveness. This proposal also includes salary for 3 years for a senior level strategist who operates out of the Mayor’s Office. Ord. No. 894-2022.