Chicago is taking a proactive stance in addressing mental health emergencies with its Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) Program. This innovative initiative dispatches a specialized team consisting of a mental health professional and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to respond to mental health crises, offering an alternative to traditional police or fire department responses. Operating between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in specific Chicago districts, the CARE program is demonstrating its effectiveness and is now set to expand, aiming to provide broader coverage and support across the city.
The CARE team’s approach is designed to de-escalate situations and provide immediate assistance tailored to mental health needs. Ashley Robinson, a 911 dispatcher and EMT with the District 1 CARE team, illustrates the team’s preparedness: “We have blankets for those who are cold… We have the basic essentials – Narcan, fentanyl strips, underwear, socks, toiletries, because a lot of people need toiletries. Hats, gloves, shorts.” This equipment, along with their expertise, allows the CARE team to address both the immediate crisis and the individual’s basic needs with compassion and understanding.
Dispatchers identify and direct the CARE team to low-risk emergency calls where a mental health component is recognized. The program’s objective is to prevent escalations, especially those that could lead to tragic outcomes, such as the incident in Little Village where a man with a knife was fatally shot by police after a 911 call from his girlfriend. Tiffany Patton-Burnside, Senior Director of Crisis Services at the Chicago Department of Public Health, emphasizes the team’s capability: “We typically do not respond to calls where individuals have weapons, but there’s times where we don’t know, and we were told that there weren’t, and when we get on scene that they are, and we’ve been able to work with individuals who may have had that happen, and were able to de-escalate, defuse the situation.” In just four weeks, the CARE team responded to 60 mental health calls, highlighting the significant demand and impact of this service.
The impact of the CARE program extends beyond immediate crisis intervention. Burnside notes, “We’ve had individuals whose goals were just to not be here, and now they’re still here,” underscoring the program’s role in potentially saving lives and offering hope. Sometimes, simple gestures like providing snacks or comfortable clothing can make a significant difference in de-escalating a crisis. Robinson mentions, “Sweatshirts, pants, shoes that have insoles for both the heat and the winter,” as examples of items they carry to provide comfort and support.
Despite initial skepticism towards alternative response models, the CARE program’s data speaks volumes about its effectiveness. Deputy Mayor of Community Safety, Garien Gatewood, points out the program’s success: “I’m glad we’re having this conversation. So now your viewers will know that this is something that the city of Chicago is offering.” Between September 2021 and September 2024, the CARE team handled over 1,500 calls, resulting in zero arrests and use of force in less than 0.1% of cases. “It shows that this model can work,” Gatewood affirms. This data strongly supports the CARE program as a viable and humane approach to mental health crisis response in Chicago.
Recognizing the program’s success and the pressing need, Chicago has committed to expanding the CARE program from four to six police districts. Gatewood envisions further growth, aiming for citywide coverage and ideally 24/7 availability in the future. “That would be a wonderful day,” he states. “We’re working it piece by piece. You know, in an ideal world, we’d have 24/7 coverage, but we’re not there yet, but we’re going to continue to work to get there, to make sure everybody who is in need throughout our city has the resources that are necessary.”
A crucial element of the CARE program is its follow-up care. The team proactively checks in with individuals they assist – typically a day, a week, and a month later – to ensure they are receiving ongoing support and to connect them with additional resources if needed. This comprehensive approach distinguishes the CARE program and underscores its commitment to long-term well-being and community support in Chicago. The CARE program represents a significant step forward in how Chicago addresses mental health crises, prioritizing care, de-escalation, and community well-being over traditional intervention methods.
