The city of Chicago is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to 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 crisis calls, offering an alternative to traditional police or fire department responses. Operating between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in designated areas of Chicago, the CARE program is quietly making a significant impact, diverting hundreds of potentially volatile situations towards peaceful resolutions.
Many Chicago residents may be unaware of the CARE program, yet its effectiveness is evident in the growing demand for its services. District 1 CARE team member Ashley Robinson, a 911 dispatcher and EMT, exemplifies the program’s unique approach. Her response vehicle is equipped not only with standard paramedic equipment but also with comfort items like blankets, toiletries, socks, and even hats and gloves – acknowledging the holistic needs of individuals in crisis. The CARE teams are strategically deployed to low-risk emergency calls identified by dispatchers as having a significant mental health component.
The core mission of the Chicago Care Program is de-escalation and the prevention of tragic outcomes, such as the recent 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, highlights the team’s success even in complex situations: “We typically do not respond to calls where individuals have weapons, but there’s times where we don’t know… 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 addressed 60 mental health calls, providing crucial intervention for individuals who were experiencing suicidal ideation. Sometimes, simple acts of care, like offering snacks and comfortable clothing such as sweatshirts and supportive shoes, can be profoundly impactful in de-escalating a crisis.
Chicago’s Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, Garien Gatewood, acknowledges the initial skepticism surrounding alternative response models like the CARE program. However, he emphasizes the compelling data demonstrating its effectiveness. Between September 2021 and September 2024, the CARE program responded to over 1,500 calls, achieving a remarkable zero arrests and use of force in less than 0.1% of incidents. “It shows that this model can work,” Gatewood affirms. This success has led to a city commitment to expand the CARE program from four to six police districts, with aspirations for citywide coverage and ideally, 24/7 operation. “We’re working it piece by piece,” Gatewood explains, acknowledging the gradual but determined progress.
A distinctive element of the Chicago CARE program is its commitment to follow-up care. The teams proactively check in with individuals they assist – typically a day, a week, and a month later – to ensure ongoing support and connect them with additional resources if needed. This holistic approach underscores the CARE program’s dedication to long-term well-being beyond immediate crisis intervention.
The Chicago CARE program is setting a new standard for mental health crisis response, prioritizing compassion, de-escalation, and community safety. As the program expands, it promises to become an increasingly vital resource for Chicago residents experiencing mental health emergencies, offering a supportive and effective alternative to traditional emergency responses.
