Your Crisis Response Briefing for July

Inside New Behavioral Health Launches, Co-Responder Milestones, and the Fight to Keep Compassionate Crisis Response Funded

July 16, 2025

Today’s Brief:

  • Crisis Intervention Briefs

  • Pitkin County Releases 2024 Co-Responder Report Highlighting Growing Mental Health Demand

  • Killeen City Council Fights to Save Co-Responder Program Amid Budget Concerns

  • Social Media Briefs

    Total Read Time: 2 Minutes

🧠 Behavioral Health Briefs

Iowa today transitions from 32 scattered mental health and disability regions into a streamlined system of seven statewide behavioral health districts, aiming for consistent access regardless of location. The overhaul includes centralized care contracts, reduced paperwork for providers, and “Your Life Iowa” navigators offering 24/7 support and early intervention

St. Mary’s and Charles Counties introduced Santé Southern Maryland Crisis Response teams—pairing mental health professionals with peer specialists—for in-person home/community response weekdays 8 a.m.–midnight, with 24/7 phone access via 988, designed to de-escalate crises and divert individuals from ER visits or incarceration

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga landed a $24 million federal grant to broaden its mental and behavioral health initiatives, funding new training, clinical services, and outreach partnerships—strengthening the region’s capacity to address rising care demands (source from Times Free Press link).

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Pitkin County’s 2024 Behavioral Health report shows the Pitkin Area Co-Responder Team (PACT) responded to 291 behavioral health cases last year, emphasizing the continued need for integrated mental health and public safety interventions. The program pairs law enforcement officers with behavioral health professionals to provide immediate, on-scene crisis support and follow-up care.

The report outlines that most clients served faced complex needs, including substance use, housing instability, and untreated mental illness. By offering services like stabilization, de-escalation, and case management, PACT aims to divert individuals from emergency departments or incarceration. Leaders praised the program for enhancing community trust and reducing stigma associated with mental health calls. Pitkin County plans to expand the initiative with more peer support and additional resources in 2025.

The City of Killeen is weighing options to keep its co-responder program alive, a service that embeds a licensed social worker with police officers to respond to mental health-related 911 calls. As part of budget talks for fiscal year 2026, councilmembers expressed concern over potentially losing this critical role due to funding shortfalls.

The co-responder has become a trusted figure for officers and residents alike, helping de-escalate crises and guide individuals toward appropriate care instead of jail. Advocates argue that cutting the position would not only strain police resources but also reduce safety and effectiveness during mental health emergencies. City leaders are now exploring partnerships or grant funding to preserve the program. Discussions are ongoing, with many emphasizing its value in creating a more compassionate, community-focused approach to public safety.

Social Media Briefs

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