Columbus, OH redefines its approach to mental health crises with Alternative Response Pilot Program

Columbus, OH Alternative Response Pilot Program

In Progress

A social worker and a paramedic embedded with the 911 dispatch center evaluate calls for mental health situations. The Alternative Response team leads responses in non-emergency situations rather than police officers. City officials will evaluate the six-week pilot for dual impacts on non-emergency and violent crime responses. Columbus hopes to better allocate resources for the 22,000 911 calls per year dealing with behavioral health.

Health & Human Services Emergency Services Pilot / POC

Columbus, OH

Municipality in Ohio

United States

Newsworthy

Ohio capital city to pilot non-emergency 911 response teams

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A pilot program in Ohio's capital and largest city will test alternative responses to 911 callers suffering from mental health crises and addiction issues, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced Friday.

Columbus leaders announce Alternative Response Pilot Program for non-emergency 911 calls | WSYX

Friday, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther along with Columbus Public Health, ADAMH, Columbus Division of Fire and Columbus Division of Police announced an Alternative Response Pilot Program that aims to address the needs of 911 callers for non-emergency incidents. "Far too often and for too long we've asked our police officers to be social workers, medics and health workers," Mayor Andrew Ginther said.

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