Press Release: For immediate release
Contact Information:
Lea Berhane, Chief Development, Marketing & Technology Officer
(650) 591-9623 x142
lea.berhane@star-vista.org
StarVista Launches Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team Pilot Project
December 6, 2021
San Carlos, CA – StarVista, a nonprofit agency that delivers high impact services through counseling, skill development, and crisis prevention to children, adolescents, adults, and families to San Mateo County residents, is partnering with San Mateo County law enforcement to launch a brand-new pilot program, the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team.
The Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team (CWCRT) is a 2-year pilot partnership between San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), StarVista, and 4 police departments: San Mateo, Daly City, South San Francisco, and Redwood City. Each law enforcement agency will have a clinician assigned to serve on its crisis response team.
This is a co-response model; where a clinician will be dispatched and meet a law enforcement officer at the scene where there is an individual suspected of experiencing a mental or behavioral crisis. These clinicians will provide early intervention, referrals to psychiatric hospitals for assessment, and follow-up support services for said individuals.
“All parties involved in this collaboration, have heard the concerns of the community, and are committed to responding accordingly, to ensure better outcomes when interacting with those who find themselves suffering from a mental health crisis,” says Associate Department Director Daryl Tilghman, Ph.D., who will lead the program’s operations for StarVista.
CWCRT aims to improve the mental health and stability of San Mateo County residents and reduce the use of emergency services and contact with the criminal justice system.
The Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team launches on Monday, December 6, 2021 in Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City, and South San Francisco.