Co-Responder teams assist those in mental health and substance abuse crisis situations

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH — Today, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne joined City officials, public safety professionals and first responders to announce the expansion of the County’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Response Program into the communities of Parma and Parma Heights. The program will embed full-time social workers with police and fire departments to improve the response to those suffering from a mental health or substance abuse crisis.

If approved by Cuyahoga County Council, the County will commit $3.5 million from the Opioid Mitigation Fund to continuing to develop the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Response Program county-wide.

“The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Response Program has had a tremendous impact on the way our communities respond to those in need of mental health and addiction support, and I am proud to see this model expand to serve more residents across Cuyahoga County,” said County Executive Chris Ronayne. “By providing coordinated, streamlined care tailored to the needs of individuals, we are fostering healthier neighborhoods, while improving the safety of our residents and first responders.”

The Cuyahoga County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Response Program is based on the model initiated by Shaker Heights in 2022, and expanded to serve Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Richmond Heights, and South Euclid in 2024. Since expanding, this First CALL (Crisis Assistance and Local Linkage) program has been used in response to over 2,000 calls for service, for situations involving mood disorders, substance use, trauma, suicide in progress, physical health, and psychosis.

“The ADAMHS Board is supportive of alternative response models that ensure people in a behavioral health crisis receive timely, compassionate care when and where it’s needed most,” said ADAMHS Board CEO Scott Osiecki. “I commend all the municipalities that have worked together thus far to expand crisis services and build a more responsive, community centered system of care.”

Communities across the country continue to engage with behavioral health experts to better respond to calls involving people with mental health and substance abuse issues. The Co-Responder model has been shown to improve outcomes by connecting individuals to the care and support they need most, while avoiding further contact with the criminal justice system.

“Our goal is simple: provide the right response at the right time to help individuals in crisis avoid unnecessary involvement with law enforcement or emergency rooms. We want to connect them with mental health services and community-based support when they need it most,” said Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter. “The crisis response clinician will work side-by-side with police officers, firefighters and paramedics, in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Equally important, the clinician will follow up with clients to ensure they are getting the services they need for a sustained solution.”

Cuyahoga County’s Department of Public Safety & Justice Services aims to expand the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Response Program countywide over the next five years, creating locally led programs that respond to the unique needs of each community and maximize local resources.

“Our goal is to provide our residents with the best services possible, and this is paramount especially for those who may be in crisis situations,” said Parma Heights Mayor Marie Gallo. “This program will allow us to do that from both a public service and a public health standpoint. We must meet people where they are as a community and make sure they have everything they need working in concert with our police, fire and EMS personnel, and help them solve the problems they are facing.”

Cuyahoga County reminds residents that help is available if someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. Call or text 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies. Call or text 988 for mental health support.

See photo gallery from the announcement, courtesy of Cuyahoga County Communications.