Press Release: For immediate release
Contact Information
Lea Berhane
Chief Operating Officer
lea.berhane@star-vista.org
StarVista’s Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team (CWCRT) Expands Program to Eight Police Departments
January 22, 2025 – Burlingame, CA – StarVista, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-impact services through counseling, case management, skill development, and crisis prevention to San Mateo County residents, is excited to announce the expansion of its Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team (CWCRT) program. Initially partnered with four police departments, the program has now doubled its reach to include eight police departments.
CWCRT was first launched as a two-year pilot program in collaboration with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), StarVista, and the police departments of San Mateo, Daly City, South San Francisco, and Redwood City.
This innovative co-response model places StarVista mental health clinicians with law enforcement officers to provide immediate crisis intervention and support to individuals experiencing mental or behavioral health crises. With the expansion, CWCRT will now also serve the police departments of Foster City, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, San Bruno and North Fair Oaks.
This growth reflects StarVista’s commitment to enhancing community wellness and ensuring that more residents have access to critical mental health services.
“Every day, our clinicians are making a real difference in the lives of individuals and families across San Mateo County by providing critical support during moments of crisis,” shared Briana Fair, LCSW, interim program manager of CWCRT. “Our commitment to best practices is unwavering, which is why we continue to rely on the Gardner Center’s research for vital, program-specific data. We also recognize the indispensable role of our ongoing collaboration with community partners throughout the county. Their support is crucial to the success and far-reaching impact of this program. Furthermore, the positive effect on law enforcement through daily collaboration with clinicians and clinician-led training sessions cannot be overstated. Together, we are improving safety, wellness, and connection for the entire county.”
StarVista’s CWCRT program aims to improve law enforcements response to mental health crisis in the community by providing compassionate and effective crisis responses. The program’s success is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of StarVista’s staff, partners, and law enforcement.
For more information about the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team, please visit www.star-vista.org/cwcrt.
About StarVista: StarVista is a nonprofit agency that delivers high-impact services to children, youth, adults, and families in San Mateo County through counseling, case management, skill development, and crisis prevention programs.