New Livingston mobile crisis team begins outreach; 988 linkage, telehealth and co‑responder model on fast track
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Summary
The city’s mobile crisis response manager told commissioners the program is moving to a co‑responder model with immediate in‑person response options, 988/211 linkage and a telehealth partnership to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests.
The commission heard an update on the city’s Mobile Crisis Response program from program manager Kelly Miller, who described an operational plan that combines in‑person co‑response, peer follow‑up and telehealth triage.
Miller said the current model has a part‑time peer support specialist who performs follow‑up with people identified after law‑enforcement responses but that the city is shifting to more immediate, in‑person intervention. “We’re committed to stabilizing people in the least restrictive and most supportive environment possible by diverting them from unnecessary hospitalization, incarceration, or ambulance transport,” Miller said.
Key components described by Miller include:
- Co‑responder staffing: a team of mobile crisis responders who can go on scene with or without law enforcement as appropriate; the city has posted on‑call positions and conducted initial interviews. - 988/211 linkage: callers to the national 988 crisis line will be routed to a local hub that can dispatch the mobile team when field assistance is needed; Miller noted 90% of 988 calls are resolved by phone but that in‑person response is required for a portion. - Telehealth partnership: the program will contract with a telehealth provider (identified as Alena in staff remarks) to provide virtual, licensed behavioral‑health clinicians for assessment and to reduce unnecessary hospital transports; Miller said staff expect the telehealth option to be online around Nov. 1. - Peer support & follow‑up: the county’s peer specialist will continue outreach after initial contact to connect people with services.
Miller and staff said the vehicle procured with grant funds will be unbranded to protect client privacy but that the team has a logo for internal identification. She thanked county partners, Livingston Health Care, law enforcement, EMS and local nonprofit partners and said coordinated dispatch SOPs are being finalized.
Commissioners praised the work and asked practical questions about how community members should call for help. Miller advised that 988 is the primary resource for crisis help and that dispatch protocols will ensure mobile response when an in‑person team is needed. Commissioners requested ongoing updates and outreach materials for public education.
