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Baltimore County describes mobile crisis, co‑responder model and 988 linkage; staff urge follow‑up and family supports
Summary
County presenters described the mobile crisis/co‑responder program, its connection to the 988 rollout and a diversion rate that keeps most calls out of the criminal‑justice system; officers and clinicians emphasized safety, scene management and follow‑up to reduce repeat calls and support families.
Baltimore County presenters reviewed the county’s mobile crisis and co‑responder model and its recent connection to the national 988 crisis line. A county presenter said the goal is to divert people from unnecessary emergency‑room visits and criminal‑justice involvement and to link individuals to ongoing community providers. “We are part of that 98 call center,” a presenter said, describing the county’s integration with the national rollout.
Speakers stressed that co‑response pairs a licensed mental‑health clinician with a specially trained officer, allowing clinicians to assess and provide follow‑up while officers secure the scene and handle transport when needed. The county reported high diversion success—presenters cited diversion rates in the 64–80% range for co‑responder calls—reducing unnecessary arrests and emergency‑room referrals.
Sgt. Sean Havens and other officers described on‑scene procedures: officers maintain an enhanced transport protocol and secure environments so clinicians can remain out of danger zones; when scenes are safe, clinicians complete assessments and teams make warm handoffs to community resources. Presenters emphasized that many contacts do not involve criminal activity and that clinicians and officers spend time with family members to explain options when families push for hospitalization.
Attendees raised concerns about repeated callers and follow‑up. Presenters said follow‑up and navigation are critical: the mobile crisis teams perform outreach and coordinate referrals to prevent repeat crises. County staff and detention representatives thanked the teams for specific examples where follow‑up enabled employees to return to work and avoided further escalation.
The presentation closed with a request for more resources and continued cross‑agency coordination; the council noted the mobile crisis unit has been operating for more than 20 years and asked that successes be communicated to funders and other stakeholders.
