Law enforcement agencies are increasingly seeking evidence-based alternatives to costly incarceration and hospitalization outcomes. As part of this shift, many departments are turning to deflection programs to intervene earlier and connect individuals to supportive services.
Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work for Crisis Intervention Programs
No two communities are exactly alike.
The integration of behavioral health clinicians and social service workers into community response roles has become a critical component of public safety innovation. While hiring the right treatment team is essential, also important—and often overlooked—are additional considerations for finding the right data and information systems needed to support the work.
Field observations recorded as contact notes provide the most predictive data for future calls for service, behavioral health crises, and public safety risks. Whether robustly collected at an initial contact or compiled across repeated interactions, field-contact notes offer critical details for harm reduction, de-escalation, diversion, referral, and case planning.
