What Worked Best on New Year’s Eve?Crisis Response Models

A look at the crisis response models that showed up on New Year’s Eve, pairing police with clinicians to deliver care-first, de-escalating support.

January 07, 2026

Today’s Brief:

  • What Programs showed up for NYE responses?

  • Centre County Crisis Intervention Team: 'You've Got to Slow It Down'

  • Social Briefs

    Total Read Time: 3 minutes

What Programs showed up for NYE responses?

Blueprints for Addiction Recovery partnered with Lancaster County police departments for its annual New Year's Eve ride-along initiative. The program pairs certified recovery specialists with officers to provide immediate intervention and support for individuals in crisis due to addiction or mental health issues. By offering direct referrals to treatment at the scene, the initiative aims to provide an extra level of care and potentially divert individuals from the criminal justice system.

Officers from five Lancaster County police departments are partnering with certified recovery specialists to provide immediate assistance for substance use and mental health crises during New Year's Eve celebrations. This collaborative "co-responder" model aims to humanize emergency response and divert individuals from the criminal justice system by offering direct connections to treatment services.

Certified recovery specialists from Blueprints for Addiction Recovery rode alongside Lancaster County officers on New Year's Eve to provide an extra layer of support for those in crisis. The initiative focuses on immediate intervention for substance use and mental health issues, helping to connect people with treatment services rather than funneling them into the criminal justice system.

Julota empowers smarter crisis responses by simplifying and streamlining Law Enforcement and Behavioral Health programs. By integrating hospital, EMS, and social services data into a centralized platform, it enables seamless, secure, and HIPAA-compliant collaboration. Automated reporting ensures compliance, while customizable workflows address community-specific needs. With actionable insights, teams can improve outcomes and secure greater funding, making Julota the only software purpose-built to bridge law enforcement and behavioral health with compassion and efficiency.

The Centre County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) has trained over 500 first responders since 2010 to effectively manage mental health emergencies through de-escalation and community partnerships. This 40-hour training program equips officers, dispatchers, and EMS personnel with the skills needed to slow down high-pressure situations and prioritize compassion over force. While mental health referrals have increased significantly over the years, officials attribute this rise to better identification of symptoms by trained staff and a decreasing social stigma surrounding mental health.

The program emphasizes a "co-responder" mindset, where law enforcement works closely with mental health professionals to ensure individuals receive treatment rather than entering the criminal justice system. Success stories, such as peacefully resolving a suicidal encounter involving a firearm, highlight the program's life-saving potential. Ultimately, CIT aims to build trust between the community and first responders, ensuring that those in crisis are met with the appropriate support and resources.

Social Briefs: