Behavioral Health Response Justice and Crisis Response

Crisis Response Unit (CRU) BHR’s Crisis Response Unit (CRU) uses a street triage co-responder (police officer and behavioral health clinician) model to de-escalate, stabilize, and divert individuals from jail or the hospital to a more appropriate regional care system and community partners. Furthermore, CRU provides the residents and businesses with the support they need by returning patrol officers to serve and protect those within the community more quickly.

Community-Centered Crisis Response Team (C3RT) Where CRU ensures an appropriate response to our residents when police are dispatched and there is a behavioral health need, our Community-Centered Crisis Response Team (C3RT) uses a public health approach to violence prevention that utilizes a civilian-led crisis response to low-priority calls for service. C3RT focuses on assisting individuals experiencing a non-violent crisis, such as behavioral health, self-sufficiency needs, homelessness, etc. The goal is to improve public safety by addressing underlying conditions contributing to crime.

Crisis Call Dispatch Specialist (CCDS) BHR’s Crisis Call Dispatch Specialist (CCDS) works alongside the St. Louis Metropolitan 911 Communication Center call takers to meet callers’ mental health needs and prevent unnecessary dispatching of emergency personnel. The CCDS is responsible for diverting these types of calls for service and dispatching C3RT to assist if appropriate.

Coordinating Accessible Responsiveness in Equitable Treatment (CARE) On top of this, the Coordinating Accessible Responsiveness in Equitable Treatment (CARE) team seeks to encounter, engage, and empower individuals who interfaced with CRU, C3RT, or CCDS and provide them with an alternative path of care and support through coordinating linkage to appropriate services. CARE assists individuals in taking charge of their lives by connecting them to wrap-around community support that addresses underlying behavioral health concerns.