What is the Fairfax County Co-Responder Program?
The Fairfax County Co-Responder Program is a partnership between the Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). It pairs a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained police officer with a CSB Crisis Intervention Specialist to respond to public safety calls that are related to behavioral health issues.
The Co-Responder Program:
- Serves adults and youth who are experiencing emotional distress, potentially related to mental illness, substance use, developmental disability and/or other related concerns, who would benefit from crisis intervention services.
- Is comprised of team members who have advanced training and experience working with community members in crisis.
- Works collaboratively with other county and community-based programs to enhance continuity of care.
What are the Goals of the Co-Responder Program?
Through the Co-Responder Program, Fairfax County aims to:
- Increase timely on-scene assessment and de-escalation of behavioral health crises.
- Divert community members from arrest, incarceration and hospitalization.
- Decrease visits to emergency departments and address capacity issues in psychiatric hospitals by providing less restrictive community-based alternatives for people in crisis.
- Decrease the need for emergency custody orders and temporary detention orders.
- Enhance relationships between law enforcement and community members.
How Does the Co-Responder Program Align With Other Fairfax County Initiatives?
The Co-Responder Program aligns with other Fairfax County initiatives, including the Diversion First continuum of services. The Co-Responder Program also aligns with the Marcus Alert, the Virginia law that requires 9-1-1, crisis call centers, law enforcement and behavioral health agencies to work together to improve responses to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.