State legislatures are increasingly focused on building comprehensive crisis response systems to ensure that individuals in mental health crises have access to immediate support, appropriate care, and necessary resources, reducing justice system involvement.
In working on SB 200, the 2014 legislation that led to a major overhaul of Kentucky's juvenile justice system, Sen. Whitney Westerfield (R) says he and his colleagues spoke to a variety of stakeholder groups: judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law enforcement officials among them. However, at NCSL's Legislative Summit, Westerfield credited taking the time to listen to youth advocates for pivotal changes in legislation.
Related: Juvenile Age of Jurisdiction and Transfer to Adult Court Laws
Law enforcement, corrections officers and people in related public safety professions make up just under 4% of the 7,575 state lawmakers nationwide. Nearly half of these individuals served with local police departments while about a quarter served in sheriffs' offices. Learn more about how this professional experience has impacted lawmakers' service in statehouses across the country.
In the News
Cities and counties seeking to implement alternative response teams for mental health emergencies can support these efforts by improving other aspects of their crisis care systems, according to a recent report from the Texas-based Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. The analysis identifies six essential elements of a crisis care system that can aid multidisciplinary response teams.
Related: An Implementation Policy Brief on Multidisciplinary Response Teams
There are more than 100 response teams across the country and more than half of the largest cities across the nation have teams. The key components of each team vary by location. This new Marshall Project piece covers what we know and what there still is to learn about these programs.
Related: The Legislative Primer Series on Front-End Justice: Deflection and Diversion
In Albuquerque, N.M., a new, integrated approach has allowed the police department to solve more homicides, even as national clearance rates have declined.
States can play a key role in helping local jurisdictions coordinate 911 call centers and the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to a recent report from RAND, a nonprofit research organization. In examining interoperability, or how localities ensure formal processes and protocols are in place to transfer calls between the two systems, researchers also detail how states have been involved in this vital work.
The Cache
Policy changes can address lack of treatment options and heightened fraud threats, especially for those who served in combat.