ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – A pilot program aimed to break the cycle of incarceration is moving forward in Tompkins County.

Adopted in the Reimagining Public Safety plan, the law enforcement and mental health co-response unit will be called the Crisis Alternative Response and Engagement (CARE) Team. The CARE Team will pair a specially trained law enforcement officer from the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office with a licensed clinical therapist within Mental Health Services of Tompkins County Whole Health.

“Throughout the Reimagining Public Safety process, we’ve heard loud and clear that there is a great opportunity to have trained mental health professionals respond in a crisis situation, in this case alongside law enforcement,” said Project Director of the Community Justice Center Monalita Smiley.

Officials hope the program will help divert individuals from the criminal justice system and avoid unnecessary hospitalization by de-escalating crisis situations and getting individuals treatment and support services they need.

“Law enforcement and mental health workers have unique skill sets that can complement one another in crisis situations,” said Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne. “A co-response model involves police, who are trained to handle situations that could involve violence and potential injury, and mental health professionals who can consult with officers and offer direct care and resources to individuals in crisis.”

The program also calls for in-person follow up support with 1-2 days after the crisis.

“We’re looking to take a compassionate, trauma-informed, whole health approach to individuals in crisis,” said Tompkins County Whole Health Commissioner Frank Kruppa. “This pilot program will increase law enforcement officers’ access to mental health expertise in real-time as well as increase the number of direct resources offered to someone in crisis. Thank you to the Sheriff’s office for their partnership on this, and I am excited to see how well this program serves the public.”

The CARE Team is expected to roll out later this spring, Monday through Friday during peak hours based on data collected by the Tompkins County Mobile Crisis Team.  The pilot program will occur in Tompkins County outside of the City of Ithaca, while work continues to determine the next steps for city’s jurisdiction.