LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Local colleges and organizations are working together to develop a 911 alternative response model that will focus on behavioral health support.

What You Need To Know

  • The 911 alternative response model will be staffed with mental health and social services professionals

  • DOVE, or Diversion Options: Voice and Empowerment is a research and development partnership

  • The partners are Spalding University, University of Louisville, Seven Counties Services and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities

  • Recommendations will be made for an implementation plan for a pilot program in the city’s 2022 fiscal year

 

DOVE or better known as the Diversion Options: Voice and Empowerment is a research and development partnership with collaborators from Spalding University, University of Louisville, Seven Counties Services and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. 

Rather than a 911 call going through the traditional police engagement, the alternative response model will be staffed and served by mental health and social services professionals.

“We would want to put the right person in the right space so that individual gets the care and support that they need and not moved into spaces and situations that ultimately provide no benefit for them,” Dr. Shannon Cambron, Spalding School of Social Work Chair said.

The alternative response model will be community-centered, meaning it will meet the needs of Louisville based on input from the city’s residents and individuals directly impacted. The new addition is a need for the city of Louisville after hearing concerns about situations where law enforcement officers engage with individuals experiencing behavioral health crisis.

“A person in a park, at a park bench, maybe early morning with his head down. So not clear to his own status and a concerned person driving by calls 911 to say there’s someone who might be in crisis, might be homeless, might be overdose, can someone check that out? If LMPD (Louisville Metro Police Department) goes, the available tools that they have are nothing,” Dr. Susan Buchino, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences Assistant Professor said.

The 24/7 clinicians will link callers to the resources and options individuals may need. The team launched a survey to look for focus groups involving Louisville residents and their experiences to help with the decision-making process regarding the model.

“We're seeking participants in the community, folks who have either had an experience with LMPD or not had an experience with LMPD but are just a community member that has been impacted by the community itself,” Cambron said.

Recommendations will be made for an implementation plan for a pilot program in the city’s 2022 fiscal year. The goal of implementing such a model is to create a positive health and economic impact on the community.The estimated cost of the initiative is $2.9 million. 

The team first discussed the model on February 16 and Metro Council approved UofL's contract shortly after on February 18.

According to Dr. Buchino “the model will be presented to the community for feedback to confirm that it resonates with needs identified during the community engagement process. Metro Council will need to approve the model and budget, if the program runs through Louisville Metro and uses Metro funds.”

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