Case management team

Law enforcement officers work with behavioral health professionals and pretrial and probation officers to develop specific solutions to reduce the likelihood someone will have repeat interactions with law enforcement. This approach–which often includes outreach and follow up–aims to keep people connected to mental health and community services and following their treatment plans.

For more information on this intervention, see this resource:

• PMHC Toolkit, Case Management Team

Local Examples

Los Angeles County, CA Los Angeles Police Department

• The Case Assessment Management Program (CAMP) uses a case management approach to facilitate treatment for people who have had repeat encounters with law enforcement.
• The program pairs police detectives with psychologists, nurses, and social workers to address peoples' behavioral health needs and avoid future law enforcement encounters.

For a sample related to this example, see this resource:

• Referral Form for Case Assessment Management Program (CAMP)

For more information on this example, see these resources:

• Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU) Overview (CAMP Overview)
• Los Angeles Police Department Law Enforcement-Mental Health Learning Site Profile
• Ask the Expert: Case Management at the Los Angeles Police Department

Harris County, TX Houston Police Department

• The Chronic Consumer Stabilization Initiative (CCSI) identifies people who are in frequent contact with Houston Police Department and offers intensive case management services from staff at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, the local mental health authority.
• The initiative is designed to address the underlying causes of people in crisis who have repeat contact with police by identifying people with unmet needs that are facing barriers to mental health treatment access and connect them to needed mental health treatment and psychosocial services.

For more information on this example, see these resources:

• Houston Police Department (CCSI, Mental Health Division)
• Houston Police Department Law Enforcement-Mental Health Learning Site Profile

Nevada County, CA Partnership between Nevada County Behavioral Health Department, Nevada County Probation Department and Nevada County Sheriff’s Office

• The pre-release planning team is a collaborative effort between the Nevada County Sheriff’s department custody staff, Nevada County Probation Department, and Nevada County Behavioral Health.
• The team meets periodically to review a list of people who are incarcerated at the local jail and likely to be released in the next 60 days. Team members share information about the specific needs of each person incarcerated and critical services to line up prior to release.
• The team also discusses housing status, and, if appropriate, makes connections to mental health or substance use treatment programs.
• When possible, the team strives to provide “bed-to-bed” connections, meaning that a person goes straight from jail into residential treatment when needed. This greatly increases their odds of stability and minimizes the risks of spending days or weeks in the community waiting for needed treatment.
• The team also establishes intake appointments with behavioral health providers or arranges for pre-release assessments so that services can begin immediately upon discharge.

For more information on this example, contact Phebe Bell, Phebe.bell@nevadacountyca.gov.