A new approach to address an urgent need
Too often, the only response for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis is a police officer who has limited options—
an emergency room or jail. The crisis care continuum offers an effective alternative that relies on an integrated system of emergency and behavioral health services. To help make this new approach a reality, BHCore and its partners are:
- Working with policymakers to better coordinate 911 and 988 services, ensuring a rapid and appropriate referral
for a person in crisis. - Collaborating with state and local leaders to increase the number of innovative and alternative co-response teams
in communities across Washington state. - Delivering first-of-their-kind training programs to strengthen the behavioral health skill set of police officers,
firefighters, EMTs and other frontline responders. - Coordinating with regional Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations, or BH-ASOs, to align support services throughout the crisis care continuum.
