CARE in the Community
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Smart 911 is a free online app that allows you to create a custom 911 safety profile for you and your family. Visit Smart911.com to register in YOUR language
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CARE Stories
All identifiable information in the stories below have been changed or removed to protect the privacy of individuals served by the CARE Team.
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The CARE team was requested by the Police Department to assist with a young adult who had written a troubling letter expressing anger and a vague threat towards loved ones. The CARE team met with the family and individual in crisis, and in a tense but compassionate conversation, they learned the young adult had been overwhelmed by pressure and isolation since graduating high school. CARE first responders de-escalated the situation, connecting them with a local youth-focused community program known for its mentorship and emotional support. By the end of the visit, the family anxiety had eased, and the young adult agreed to explore the program, offering a glimmer of hope for healing. As they left, the CARE team couldn’t help but feel they’d arrived at a pivotal moment.
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During an encampment outreach, the CARE team met a young adult struggling with homelessness and seeking culturally sensitive support. Recognizing the need, the team engaged with the individual, building trust and understanding their unique challenges. They transported the client to a culturally appropriate resource center where they were warmly welcomed and provided with housing, counseling, and community connection. The young adult was receptive to the supportive environment, finding stability and hope for the first time in years. This success highlighted the importance of meeting people where they are and connecting them to services that truly resonate with their identity and needs.
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The CARE team responded to a police assist call for an individual in crisis who was attempting self-harm. Using calm and empathetic verbal de-escalation, they helped the individual feel heard and supported, gradually bringing them to a safer state of mind. The team transported the individual to the hospital, ensuring they were connected with immediate care and a pathway to longer-term support. In the safety of the hospital, the individual began receiving the help they needed, marking the first step toward recovery. The collaboration between the CARE team and medical professionals ensured a compassionate response during a critical moment.
Integrating Mental Health Crisis Into The City’s 9-1-1 System
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC) are working together to bring mental health crisis response and behavioral health professionals into the City’s 911 response system for the first time in Chicago’s history by:
- Creating healthcare-based multidisciplinary responder teams dispatched to 911 calls for service with a behavioral health component.
- Providing alternative destinations for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis outside of emergency departments and police stations.
- Adding mental health professionals staffed in the 911 Call Center to consult and support on emergency response.
CARE responds to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, regardless of ability to pay.
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