Johnson County co-responder program credited with more crisis responses, follow-ups since Merriam joined

MERRIAM, Kan. — Johnson County Mental Health staff told the council that the co-responder program’s work in Merriam and neighboring northeast cities has grown substantially and provides follow-up services after police contacts.

Jen Melby, team leader for Johnson County Mental Health, reviewed program history and recent activity during a presentation tied to a mayoral proclamation designating National Co-Responder Week Sept. 14–20, 2025.

Melby said the co-responder model started in Olathe in 2011 and Merriam joined the Northeast partnership in 2017. She said early data show the program’s scale has increased: in 2018 the co-responder for the northeast cities responded to about 179 911 calls and conducted 14 follow-ups; in 2024, staff reported 485 in-person 911 responses and 834 follow-ups after police contact.

Melby described specialty follow-ups that began in 2022, led by a grant-funded co-responder. Those include outreach after completed suicides, trauma follow-ups for families and support for officers involved in traumatic incidents. She said that in 2024 the co-responders provided 171 specialty follow-ups, including connections to outpatient care, housing supports and overdose-related assistance.

“Because of your ongoing commitment, we’re able to meet people at their most difficult moments with care, connection, and hope,” Melby told the council.

The mayor read a proclamation recognizing co-responder services and staff presented data to illustrate growing demand for the program’s crisis response and post-contact follow-up work.

What’s next: staff thanked the council for continued support and invited questions; no formal council action was requested at the meeting.