Lessons from the Field: Embedding Behavioral Health Professionals in Police Co-Responder Programs

Police agencies and behavioral health professionals are increasingly partnering through co-responder programs to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing behavioral health (BH) crises. These collaborative models bring together police and BH expertise to provide coordinated, effective crisis response services to their communities.

This 60-minute presentation explores how police agencies can partner with community-based behavioral health organizations to design, implement, and sustain successful co-responder programs. Through real-world examples, police and behavioral health professionals from Craighead County, Arkansas, and Irvine, California, share practical lessons learned, strategies for collaboration, and insights into the day-to-day operation of co-responder teams.

The session highlights key considerations for agencies interested in developing or strengthening co-responder partnerships and examines both the successes and challenges encountered in the field.

After viewing this presentation, attendees will be better able to:

• Identify strategies for building and sustaining partnerships between police agencies and BH providers;
• Discuss approaches for contracting with community-based BH organizations to support crisis response services;
• Apply lessons learned to improve communication, coordination, and teamwork during crisis response incidents; and
• Recognize common successes, challenges, and promising practices in co-responder program implementation.

For more information, contact: [email protected]

This recording and materials are produced under the Cooperative Agreement No. 15PBJA-22-GK-03562-NTCP, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). BJA is a component of the United States Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.