The City of Cocoa Police Department (CPD) has formed a partnership with Central Florida Cares Health System Inc. (CFCHS), and Brevard Family Partnership/Brevard C.A.R.E.S. (BFP/Brevard C.A.R.E.S.) to implement an Adult Mobile Crisis Co-Responder Program (MRT). The program will be funded by a Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant received from the Central Florida Cares Health System.
The primary goal of the adult MRT program is to increase public safety, allow for a more immediate response for an individual in a behavioral health crisis to access mental health services, and divert individuals in behavioral health crisis from entering the criminal justice system and emergency department admissions. A secondary goal is to connect individuals with community resources and treatment services for adults who have a mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
Brevard C.A.R.E.S. will provide 24 hour/7 days a week co-responder services in partnership with CPD law enforcement officers. Trained officers will contact social workers/case managers for assistance in providing intervention to stabilize an individual’s condition safely, provide diversion strategies into community-based care, increase community awareness of behavioral health needs by providing prevention and treatment-oriented education and outreach to individuals, and increase days in the community by facilitating and encouraging stable living environments.
Central Florida Cares Health System (CFCHS) serves in the critical capacity of a Managing Entity (ME) for state and federal funds for mental health and substance use services for Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. CFCHS’ mission is to manage an affordable high-quality behavioral health care system for persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders, with a vision to achieve a comprehensive and seamless behavioral health system promoting recovery and resiliency. This onboarding of an adult MRT program will create a model for implementation throughout the CFCHS region as an effective strategy for diverting those with mental and/or behavioral health conditions from the criminal justice system and into more sustainable, cost-effective community-based care.
