Embedding Behavioral Health Professionals in 911 Call Centers

Many 911 call centers do not have staff with specialized expertise to effectively address behavioral health crises, leading to increased strain on emergency services and missed opportunities for appropriate care. In response, a growing number of jurisdictions are exploring whether to embed behavioral health professionals in their 911 call centers to provide counseling, connect callers to resources, or determine suitability for an alternative response team.

Join us for the next Alternative 911 Emergency Response Learning Series call on Thursday, January 30, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET, as we explore common challenges, such as training professionals to perform efficient over-the-phone assessments, so residents in crisis get the right support at the right time.

This event will feature a brief overview of findings from the GPL’s publication, Embedding Behavioral Health Professionals in 911 Call Centers: Approaches to Alternative Response Workforce, followed by a panel discussion with two program leaders who have integrated behavioral health professionals into 911 operations. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists during an audience Q&A. This session is open to the public and will be recorded.

Panelists:

• Kedra Priest, Practice Administrator of Crisis Services, Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams and Psychiatric Emergency Services, Integral Care, Austin, TX

• Derik Roof, Crisis Intervention Supervisor, Behavioral Health Unit, Community Assistance Program, Phoenix, AZ

• Moderator: Ben Appleton, HKS Government Performance Lab Project Leader