Lee's Summit staff describe co-responder program to divert mental-health calls from ERs and jail

Public-safety staff outlined Lee's Summit's co-responder program — specially trained crisis-intervention officers working with licensed behavioral-health corresponders — during the committee's pre-meeting presentations.

Why it matters: Staff framed the program as a way to get people experiencing mental-health crises timely, on-scene behavioral-health assistance, and to reduce unnecessary emergency-department visits or criminal arrests.

What staff said: An unnamed police officer and project staff described how the program works: corresponders are licensed behavioral-health professionals (bachelor's or master's level), wear plain clothes, do not carry weapons and respond alongside officers to crisis calls. Staff described routine on-scene practices such as safety planning, connecting people with supports and arranging follow-up services. A co-responder who identified herself as Allison urged callers to request the corresponder when dialing 911: "All you have to do when you call 911 is ask for us." Staff emphasized diversion goals and follow-up checks with clients.

Data cited: Staff reported mental-health-related calls for service increased from 722 in 2020 to 1,479 in 2022.

Limits and context: The presentation described program goals and individual success stories but did not include budget details, staffing counts, or measured outcomes beyond anecdotal follow-up. For operational questions (response automation, dispatch procedures and unit availability) staff encouraged residents to call 911 and request the corresponder; staff also noted they monitor dispatch keywords and can self-dispatch when needed.

Next step: The segment was informational; no formal committee action was taken on the program during the meeting.