Wisconsin Program Sends Mental Health Experts To Handle Crises

The Community Alternative Response Emergency Services pilot program aims to take mental health crisis situations out of the hands of police.

In Madison, Wisconsin, a new pilot program is trying to take mental health crisis situations out of the hands of police and put them into the hands of trained mental health experts.

There are no sirens or intimidating markings on response vehicles. Just a simple logo to let the community know they care. It reads: Community Alternative Response Emergency Services.

911 can now dispatch a unit specifically trained to deescalate mental health or behavioral crises. Teams come in pairs including a paramedic and a mental health expert.