Cleveland is taking proactive steps to improve its response to mental health crises by adding mental health clinicians to its emergency dispatch center. Over the next three years, with funding from a federal grant, the Cleveland Foundation and matching funds from the city, Cleveland will invest over $800,000 in the “Connect and Protect” program. In the first year, the program will focus on planning, with the goal of adding two clinicians to the dispatch center in the second year and three clinicians in the third year.
Call takers will be able to transfer low-level mental health crisis calls to the clinicians who can provide support and de-escalate situations over the phone. This proactive approach can prevent unnecessary police responses and ensure that callers receive appropriate mental health resources. The grant will also fund mental health training for all dispatchers so they can identify the most appropriate response for a crisis call. By working collaboratively with mental health clinicians, dispatchers can ensure that callers receive support in a timely and effective manner.
The new program aims to improve Cleveland’s response to mental health crises, reduce law enforcement’s burden, and ensure individuals in crisis receive care and support they need.