CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program is a Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) initiative that incorporates mental health professionals into the response for mental health calls received through 911.
“Our goal is to continue to scale these programs,” said CDPH Deputy Commissioner for Behavioral Health Matt Richards.
Since CARE launched in the fall of 2021 with a goal of de-escalation and treatment, Richards said four existing care teams have responded to 617 calls — largely on the Southwest Side — with no arrests and no use-of-force events.
Beginning this week, a fifth team will start serving the Loop and Near South Side, with teams in development for the Far North, Far South and Far Southeast Sides.
“We chose these community areas based on call volumes, so these are communities that have the highest number of mental health calls to the 911 system,” Richards said.
The state has also now given approval to start incorporating these types of teams into other calls traditionally handled by law enforcement.
“These are calls that … when they have a mental health component, our argument is that we think these teams are better positioned to address these calls,” said Richards.
The deputy commissioner said those who live or shop in the Loop will likely start seeing the CARE team responding to calls.
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