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Livingston’s mobile crisis response team moves to co-responder model, links local dispatch to 988
Summary
City and county officials reported early operational steps for a countywide mobile crisis response program. Manager Kelly Miller said the team is hiring on-call responders, integrating a telehealth partner for licensed clinical backup and building coordinated dispatch protocols tied to 988 and local 2-1-1 routes.
The commission heard an update on the Park County–Livingston mobile crisis response effort, which staff described as a co-responder model intended to provide in-person, trauma-informed support for people experiencing behavioral-health crises.
Program structure and partners: Kelly Miller, introduced as the mobile-crisis-response manager, said the program’s core elements include in-person crisis responders who will work with law enforcement or EMS as needed, a part‑time peer-support specialist who provides follow-up, and a telehealth partner to provide licensed clinical assessments. Miller said the team’s partnerships include the Livingston Police Department, Park County Sheriff’s Office, Livingston Healthcare, HRDC, the local drop-in center and other nonprofit and health partners.
Dispatch, 988 and procedures: Miller said the program is aligning with the national 988 crisis number; callers who need a physical response would be routed to the local mobile-crisis team through existing dispatch channels (Park County/2-1-1 and local public-safety dispatch). “Ninety percent of callers are stabilized over the phone,” Miller said, but the co-responder model will provide on-scene, immediate options for those who are not. The team is developing standard operating procedures and a coordinated electronic patient-record system for documentation and referrals.
Staffing, training and vehicle: Miller said the state provided grant funding for a program vehicle and for training; the team is seeking on-call crisis responders with social-work experience or lived experience in behavioral-health response. Miller said the team will offer crisis-intervention training locally, expand voluntary follow-up with a peer-support specialist, and integrate a 24/7 tele-behavioral-health service to support field staff.
Public safety and confidentiality: Staff noted that responses will be discreet (no exterior branding on the response vehicle) to protect privacy, and that dispatch and law enforcement will coordinate to determine whether an on-scene responder is needed or whether a phone-based intervention is sufficient.
Next steps: Miller said hiring is underway and the team will finalize dispatch protocols and an electronic records workflow in the coming weeks. Commissioners praised the work and encouraged community outreach.
Why it matters: Local co-responder programs aim to reduce unnecessary hospital transports and arrests by offering behavioral-health expertise and follow-up at the scene or by phone, and to provide linkages to ongoing community supports.
