Cuyahoga County launches startup fund to help communities support co-response programs

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH — Cuyahoga County today announced the launch of the First Call Cuyahoga: Community Co-Response Startup Fund to help communities support and expand programs that connect public safety professionals with behavioral health specialists to assist residents in crisis.

“The First Call Cuyahoga Startup Fund is about meeting people where they are and responding to crises with compassion and coordination,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “By investing in co-response programs in our communities, we’re working to strengthen public safety and expand access to behavioral health care. The fund will empower more municipalities to implement and enhance these vital programs.”

The funding program builds on the success of the First CALL co-response model, first piloted in Shaker Heights in 2022. With support from Cuyahoga County, the George Gund Foundation, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, and other organizations, Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Richmond Heights, and South Euclid launched similar co-response initiatives in 2024. And last year, Parma and Parma Heights announced plans for a crisis response program. By embedding behavioral health professionals alongside first responders, communities can reduce unnecessary arrests, decrease emergency room visits, and ensure residents get the care they need at the right time.

The Community Co-Response Startup Fund will support staffing, training, and infrastructure needs for co-response initiatives. Municipalities will also have flexibility to design programs that fit local needs. The County’s Public Safety and Justice Services Department will work closely with municipalities to ensure consistency and provide data-sharing and best practices across programs. The goal is to build sustainable local programs that align with the County’s broader behavioral health and public safety strategies.

“Co-response programs are transforming how we approach public safety,” said Brandy Carney, Cuyahoga County Director of Public Safety and Justice Services. “When trained clinicians work alongside officers, first responders can de-escalate situations more effectively and connect people to services that get to the root of the crisis. This funding will help communities build even stronger partnerships and improve outcomes for residents.”

Eligible applicants may be a single municipality or a coalition of up to four communities. Applicants are required to show demonstrated need by identifying calls where mental health or substance use is the primary concern, along with additional risk factors such as limited access to treatment. Programs must include partnerships between public safety and behavioral health providers and demonstrate readiness through staffing, operations, and sustainability plans.

Requests for funding will be accepted on a rolling basis. Funding will cover up to 50% of operational costs per year, or a maximum of $50,000 annually per community, with coalitions eligible for up to $200,000 per year. Awards will support up to three years of programming.

Communities interested in applying should first notify Cuyahoga County of their intent. For more information on eligibility criteria, visit cuyahogacounty.gov.