Franklin County’s Community Mobile Team, launched in 2023, is an innovative mental health crisis response program that replaces traditional police interventions with a team of licensed clinicians and peer specialists.
Funded with a $1.1 million grant, the initiative diverts non-urgent mental health calls away from police, aiming for compassionate, specialized crisis care. It’s designed to offer immediate, on-site support, connect individuals to long-term resources, and reduce law enforcement involvement in mental health issues.
In a groundbreaking step towards reimagining mental health crisis intervention, Franklin County, Ohio, has launched the Community Mobile Team—a program designed to replace traditional law enforcement responses with specialized mental health professionals.
This initiative, launched in 2023, aims to address mental health crises, addiction, and traumatic experiences through a compassionate, community-based approach. Within just seven months, the Community Mobile Team has already served over 1,000 individuals, greatly exceeding expectations for early impact.
Key Takeaways
Franklin County’s Community Mobile Team is an innovative mental health crisis response program that replaces traditional police interventions with licensed clinicians and peer specialists.
- The program has already served over 1,000 individuals in just seven months, greatly exceeding expectations for early impact.
- Local law enforcement has played a key role in the program’s success, acknowledging that mental health professionals are better equipped to handle crises involving psychological distress.
- The Community Mobile Team aims to expand its services and reach a more diverse demographic within Franklin County, ensuring that all youth facing mental health challenges have access to this resource.
Shifting from police response to specialized care
Traditional emergency responses to mental health issues have often involved law enforcement. However, these interventions, while well-intentioned, have sometimes escalated situations that could have been more effectively managed by mental health professionals.
Recognizing this gap, Franklin County’s Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board allocated a $1.1 million grant to establish the Community Mobile Team. This has allowed the program to address mental health crises without police involvement, focusing on providing targeted and empathetic care. The mobile team arrives in unmarked vehicles, reducing the stigma often associated with mental health crises and emergency responses.
Upon arrival, the team works to assess each individual’s unique situation, determining the best course of action to stabilize them, whether through on-site care, outpatient follow-up, or hospitalization if necessary.
According to early data, the majority of the individuals assisted have opted to remain in the community, highlighting the program’s ability to offer immediate relief and sustained support locally. Many situations have been de-escalated successfully on-site, underscoring the positive impact of shifting away from conventional police-led responses.
A collaborative effort supported by law enforcement
Local law enforcement has played a key role in the program’s success, acknowledging that mental health professionals are better equipped to handle crises involving psychological distress.
By supporting this program, police officers can focus on community safety while allowing those in crisis to receive appropriate mental health care. This partnership exemplifies a collaborative model in which law enforcement and mental health professionals work together to create safer, more effective responses to crises.
Upon receiving a call, the mobile team immediately starts gathering vital information, including the caller’s exact location and the specific nature of the emergency. This allows the team to quickly adapt to each unique scenario.
If the team needs additional background information, they can access patient histories through Netcare Access, a system that provides relevant medical information to aid in effective intervention. As a result, team members can make informed, compassionate decisions to assist individuals during a critical time.
The involvement of peer support specialists—individuals with lived experience in managing mental health and addiction challenges—adds another layer of empathy to the care provided. Their presence enables the team to connect on a more personal level, offering individuals a sense of understanding that is often missing in traditional emergency responses.
Engaging the community for sustainable impact
The success of the Community Mobile Team is heavily reliant on community support and feedback. Franklin County has established an advisory committee that includes local residents to provide insights into the program’s effectiveness and areas for improvement. Community input has played a critical role in shaping the program, helping officials understand how best to serve residents.
Additionally, Franklin County has actively engaged with the community through public forums and engagement events, where residents have the opportunity to discuss their experiences and provide feedback on the program. These initiatives foster transparency and ensure that the program remains adaptable to the evolving needs of the community.
A similar model, the CARE Response Program, has been piloted in Cleveland’s neighborhoods, specifically in ZIP codes 44102 and 44105. This program mirrors Franklin County’s approach, relying on crisis counselors and paramedics to provide immediate assistance without police intervention.
In response to growing calls for mental health and crisis support, this program exemplifies a community-first approach. Each month, the CARE Response Program continues to engage with a range of individuals, offering mental health care resources tailored to their needs.
Broadening the scope with future expansion plans
The long-term goal in the long-run is to expand its services and reach a more diverse demographic within Franklin County. Initially focused on supporting boys and young men of color, the county has plans to broaden the program’s inclusivity to serve individuals from various backgrounds, ensuring that all youth facing mental health challenges have access to this resource.
One of the program’s supporting entities, the Family Stabilization Unit, has been tasked with providing annual reports to county commissioners, detailing accomplishments and highlighting any obstacles encountered. This transparent approach enables stakeholders to gauge the program’s success and make informed decisions on its future.
In collaboration with the Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board and FrontLine Services, the Community Mobile Team aims to enhance its workforce, ensuring the program is fully staffed by the end of November.
By expanding its capacity, Franklin County can accommodate the rising number of calls routed to the 988 mental health hotline. A partnership between federal and state authorities is also underway to integrate the 988 hotline with the existing 911 network, facilitating a seamless transition between emergency services and mental health crisis intervention.
Results, reflections, and early successes
Since its launch, the Community Mobile Team has demonstrated remarkable success, with its impact doubling early projections in less than a year. This achievement speaks to the profound need for an alternative crisis response system that prioritizes mental health care over police intervention.
According to feedback from Netcare Access, most individuals who have been assisted by the team are choosing to continue living within their communities, a testament to the program’s supportive approach.
The team’s continued follow-up with individuals who have received initial assistance ensures that they receive ongoing care as needed. Services include access to support groups, therapy sessions, and connections to additional outpatient services. By providing a continuum of care, the program not only addresses immediate crises but also contributes to long-term recovery and well-being.
Franklin County’s Community Mobile Team offers a promising model for other communities looking to enhance their mental health crisis response systems. Through a multidisciplinary licensed team specialists, the program has proven its ability to provide comprehensive care from crisis intervention to recovery.
The initiative is designed to address complex mental health challenges with a tailored, empathetic approach, setting a new standard for crisis care.
As mental health continues to be a pressing issue nationwide, Franklin County’s model underscores the importance of community-centered solutions. By minimizing police involvement and focusing on compassionate, professional care, the program not only reduces the strain on law enforcement but also creates a safer, more understanding community.
