If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, we can help. CALL 988

Care Response provides a mental health response to mental health crises, not law enforcement.

Care response is a pilot program available for free in Cleveland zip codes 44102 and 44105. You can see a map of 44102 and 44105 here.

The service provides:

• Crisis intervention

• Counseling

• Referrals and connection to support services 

IF THE SITUATION IS LIFE THREATENING, CALL 911 NOW.

How It Works 

• If you, a loved one, or a community member is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call 988 to receive care response services.

• If the trained dispatcher determines the call is a mental health crisis and there is no risk to individual or public safety, only the care response team will respond, not police.

• 988 will dispatch a mental health expert and a person with lived experience to assist the person experiencing the crisis, in the community. 

• The program is available from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (24/7 availability is coming soon).

What to Expect

• Care responders will be wearing a gray polo shirt with a care response logo.

• Police will not be dispatched unless the situation is life threatening. Care responders are unarmed.

• Care responders will arrive in a gray Honda CRV with “Care Response, FrontLine Service” clearly marked on the doors. The vehicle does not have a siren or flashing lights.

Upon arrival, Care responders will:

• Maintain kindness and respect

• Calm the situation

• Help the person in crisis

• Provide resources for further support

Who are the Care Responders?

Care response teams include a trained mental health professional and a peer (a person with lived experience with mental health and/or substance abuse). They are employed by FrontLine Service.

They are caring people trained to support people in crisis. They have experience in:

• De-escalation

• Working with people who have experienced trauma

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity

• Understanding and inclusivity regarding race, gender identity and sexual orientation

Why Care Response?

Care response provides an empathetic, effective, and community-focused approach to mental health crisis intervention. By prioritizing healthcare responses over law enforcement in specific situations, the program aims to foster a supportive, understanding, and safe environment for individuals experiencing mental health and addiction crises.

Benefits of Care Response

• Reduce police involvement in non-violent mental health crises

• Resolve more situations directly within the community

• Increase linkage to and utilization of mental health services and treatment

• Decrease the rates of unnecessary hospitalizations and incarceration

• Improve overall community safety and reduce crime

• Offer a cost-effective solution to crisis intervention

Learn more about the development of the Care Response pilot program and view our frequently asked questions (FAQ) here.

Share Your Experience

Have you or someone you know used the Care Response Pilot Program? Please share your experience here.

All feedback will be shared with Care Response Pilot Program staff to improve our services. Feedback can be provided anonymously.