In a significant pivot towards a public health approach to mental health emergencies, Chicago has made the strategic move to transition its Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program fully into the hands of public health professionals. Mayor Brandon Johnson, at the helm of this initiative, announced that the program, which handles emergency calls related to mental health, will exclusively utilize staff from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), sidelining the prior involvement of police and fire department personnel.
Following a three-year pilot, the CARE program is set to fundamentally change how the city responds to citizens in the grip of a mental health crisis. Since its inception, CARE teams have boasted a record of zero arrests and have had to hardly ever resort to using force in less than 0.1% of incidents, according to the data published on the CARE data dashboard. These numbers underpin the program's aim to decriminalize mental health issues and focus on treatment rather than law enforcement responses.
"By directing 9-1-1 mental health calls to public health teams, we are ending the criminalization of these issues and helping to ensure people who are unhoused or experiencing a mental health challenge get the treatment and support they need," stated Mayor Johnson, underlining the program's restorative ethos. This shift also allows officers and medical personnel from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and Chicago Fire Department (CFD) to reorient back to their primary roles, as mentioned in a report by Chicago.gov.
The decision to exclusively staff the CARE program with CDPH employees is partly a nod to the more than 1,500 calls the teams have efficiently responded to, a feat that has been lauded by public health officials and police leadership alike. "Protecting public safety will always be a collaborative effort, and having mental health clinicians available to respond to select 9-1-1 calls for which they are well equipped will enable all of us to continue building safer communities together," Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling expressed in his endorsement of the CARE team's capabilities.
CPDH Commissioner Olusimbo 'Simbo' Ige, MD, MPH also reiterated the importance of the program, saying, “This program is a critical component of our work to ensure all Chicagoans can access the behavioral health care they need.” The CARE teams' mandate includes de-escalation, mental health assessment, referrals to community services, and transport to supportive destinations, plus the commitment to continuing follow-ups with those they help.
The successful realignment of CARE, backed by community organizations, advocates, and organized labor, signifies a groundbreaking paradigm shift in addressing mental health crises — one that focuses on compassion, professional care, and a bridge to ongoing resources, revealing the power of health-driven response over traditional law enforcement in fostering community well-being.
