Justice Library

Behavioral Health Call Centers and 988 Implementation The purpose of the survey was to help states learn from each other on how they are working to implement 988 within the context of existing and emerging behavioral health crisis continuum. This report summarizes the results of the survey completed either partially or completely by 43 states 

Beyond Jails: Community-Based Strategies for Public Safety For decades, the United States has responded to social issues like mental health and substance use crises, chronic homelessness, and ongoing cycles of interpersonal violence with jail. This has disrupted the lives of millions of people—disproportionately harming Black and Indigenous people—without improving public safety. There’s a better way. Communities can instead invest in agencies and organizations that address these issues outside the criminal legal system. The proven solutions highlighted in this multimedia report look beyond jails to promote safe and thriving communities.

Assessing the Impact of Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams: A Review of Research This document provides a review of the research examining the implementation and impact of crisis resolution and home treatment teams. This review is organized into four primary sections. First, the definition and delivery of CRHTT programs are described. Next, the available research on the impact of CRHTTs is discussed. Then, stakeholders’ perceptions of CRHTTs are considered. Finally, a discussion of key research findings and implication for future research and practice is presented.

Decoupling Crisis Response from Policing — A Step Toward Equitable Psychiatric Emergency Services

Moving toward equitable emergency services

Assessing the Impact of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD): A Review of Research The Best Practice Guide reviews available research on the delivery and impact of police, behavioral health (BH), disability, and community responses to BH and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)-related crisis incidents. The chapters of this guide present information on existing response models, identify evidence-informed best practices, and outline key lessons for the development and delivery of crisis response programs designed after these models.

Assessing the Impact of Mobile Crisis Teams: A Review of Research This document provides a review of the available research on the implementation and impact of MCTs. This review is organized into the following four sections. First, Section II describes the implementation of the mobile crisis team model. Next, Section III outlines the research on the impact of mobile crisis teams on increasing connection to services, reducing pressure on the mental health system, and promoting cost effectiveness. Then, Section IV describes stakeholders’ perceptions of mobile crisis teams, including benefits and challenges. Finally, Section V provides an overall discussion of available research and implications for research and practice.

Assessing the Impact of Co-Responder Team Programs: A Review of Research This document provides a review of the available research regarding the implementation and impact of co-responder team programs across several communities. This review is organized into four sections. First, the definition and implementation of the co-responder team model are presented. Second, the impact of co-responder team programs on individuals in crisis, the criminal justice system, and the health care system is examined. Next, stakeholders’ perceptions of co-responder team programs and opinions on the elements that make these programs successful are considered. Finally, the implications for future research and practice are reviewed.

Assessing the Impact of Crisis Intervention Teams: A Review of Research
The Best Practice Guide reviews available research on the delivery and impact of police, behavioral health (BH), disability, and community responses to BH and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)-related crisis incidents. The chapters of this guide present information on existing response models, identify evidence-informed best practices, and outline key lessons for the development and delivery of crisis response programs designed after these models.

The Community Responder Model: How Cities Can Send the Right Responder to Every 911 Call This report details several existing programs that send nonpolice responders to handle such issues, including the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) program in Eugene, Oregon.

Cops, Clinicians, or Both? Collaborative Approaches to Responding to Behavioral Health Emergencies How a community responds to Behavioral Health (BH) emergencies is both a public health issue and social justice issue. Individuals in BH crisis often receive inadequate care in emergency departments (EDs), boarding for hours or days waiting for treatment. These individuals account for a quarter of police shootings and over 2 million jail bookings per year. Explicit and implicit bias magnify these problems for people of color. Growing bipartisan support for reform provides an unprecedented opportunity for meaningful change, but solutions to this complex issue will require comprehensive systemic approaches. As communities grapple with BH emergencies, the question isn’t whether law enforcement (LE) should respond to BH emergencies, but rather when, how, and with what support. This policy paper reviews best practices for law enforcement (LE) crisis response, outlines the components of a comprehensive continuum of crisis care that provides alternatives to LE involvement and ED utilization, and provides strategies for collaboration and alignment towards common goals. Finally, policy considerations regarding legal statutes, financing, data management, and stakeholder engagement are presented in order to assist communities interested in taking steps to build these needed solutions.