Organizations Partner on $1.3 Million Project to Improve Mental Health Response in Eastern Suburbs

CLEVELAND - University Hospitals (UH), Chagrin Valley Dispatch, the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and several other organizations have partnered on a $1.3 million pilot project aimed at improving emergency response in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

The pilot project launched July 15.

The project trains dispatchers in Geauga County and the Chagrin Valley to ask a series of questions to 9-1-1 callers. The questions are designed to help dispatchers quickly determine if the call involves a mental health crisis, and if so, the best response to the situation – whether that involves medical care, a police response or a mental health-focused response, among other options.

“The 9-1-1 system is the first point of contact for people in need including those from our community having an acute mental health crisis.  We know there is an increased need for mental health services, and firefighters, paramedics and police officers are often asked to respond to situations where another option might be more appropriate,” said UH Chief Operating Officer Paul R. Hinchey, MD. “These 9-1-1 centers are leaders in their efforts to serve their citizens. They are part of only a few programs in the country that have the ability to recognize a behavioral health emergency and offer a fourth response option to better serve their community and to support their first responders. This program will help our neighbors, friends and relatives get the kind of help they need when they need it.”

Nick DiCicco, Director of Chagrin Valley Dispatch, said, “Everyone has a friend, neighbor or relative struggling with mental health. We know they often struggle to get the help they need, or get it in a timely way. This program will help us better support the residents we serve while also keeping first responders safer.”

“The Meadows Institute is proud to partner with University Hospitals, Chagrin Valley Dispatch, and the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office to pilot a health-focused response to a concern that affects every community,” said Yolanda Lewis, Executive Vice President of Justice and Health at the Meadows Institute. “Together we are working to reimagine emergency crisis response as a collaborative effort that prioritizes care, compassion, and community well-being and helps ensure that people in need receive the right care at the right time.”

Dispatchers at Geauga County Dispatch and the Chagrin Valley Dispatch (which handles dispatch for several communities, including Bedford, Bentleyville, Chagrin Falls, South Russell, Solon, Glenwillow, Maple Heights, Highland Hills, North Randall, Euclid, Bratenahl, Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, Orange and Woodmere) have spent the past several months training on the new protocols. 

“Those with mental health crises live everywhere. This is not just a problem isolated to a certain demographic, location or social class,” said Brandon Reed with the Geauga County Department of Emergency Services. “This program will assist first responders to better identify and respond to calls of persons in crisis. The 9-1-1 dispatcher is often the first point of contact for someone reaching out for help. This program will help provide these professionals with tools to better identify persons experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis so an appropriate response can be initiated to get that person the specific help they need in a timelier manner. One of the ideas behind this project is also to help develop a nationwide standard and framework for navigating these challenging calls.”

The program is funded through grants from the American Arbitration Association and the Sosozei Foundation. The training is being developed in partnership with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.