Tampa's Crisis Center: Enhancing Safety Through Dynamic Data and Law Enforcement Collaboration
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is revolutionizing crisis intervention and mental health support through its innovative daily use of dynamic data and proactive collaboration with law enforcement. This model not only accelerates their ability to respond to those in crisis, but also serves as a blueprint for other communities aiming to improve their rapid response systems and enhance public safety.
We recently had the opportunity to tour the Center. It is not an overstatement to say that the Center is setting a new standard for crisis management, mental health support and collaboration with law enforcement. We walked away from our tour convinced that the Crisis Center’s dynamic, innovative approaches to citizen safety are not just a local success story, but a blueprint for communities worldwide. Here’s why.
The Crisis Intervention Dispatch Service Program
In April 2024, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay launched a groundbreaking crisis intervention dispatch service program. This initiative, introduced during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, aims to address the high volume of 911 calls with behavioral health components—estimated to be up to 70% of all calls received by TPD's dispatch center.
Key Features of the Program
Intervention Specialists: Intervention specialists from the Crisis Center are now integrated into the TPD dispatch team. These specialists handle calls involving mental health crises that do not require immediate law enforcement intervention.
De-escalation and Resource Allocation: The program focuses on de-escalating situations and connecting individuals to appropriate resources without necessitating a police response. Clara Reynolds, President and CEO of the Crisis Center, notes that: 97% of the time, intervention specialists successfully manage these calls without involving law enforcement. In other words, if an individual requires hospitalization for a mental health crisis, they are not transported in a squad car.
Screening for Safety: 911 calls are carefully screened to ensure no weapons or public safety risks are present before engaging a Crisis Center intervention specialist, thereby prioritizing the safety of both the caller and the community.
Use of Dynamic Data
Dynamic data also plays a crucial role in the Crisis Center's approach to crisis intervention. By leveraging real-time information and predictive analytics, the Crisis Center can effectively monitor, anticipate, and respond to crises.
Real-Time Monitoring: The Crisis Center continuously monitors data from various sources, including 911 calls and crisis hotline interactions. This real-time monitoring allows for the identification of emerging crises and ensures timely intervention.
Predictive Analytics: Data and trends are analyzed daily to predict potential crisis hotspots and peak times. This predictive capability enables the Crisis Center to allocate resources, such as emergency transport vehicles, proactively reducing response times and improving outcomes.
Resource Optimization: Dynamic data helps optimize the deployment of intervention specialists and other resources. Understanding patterns in crisis occurrences ensures that the right resources are available when and where they are needed most.
Shared Database with Law Enforcement
The integration of shared databases between the Crisis Center and law enforcement agencies is a cornerstone of Tampa's proactive crisis intervention model. This collaboration enhances communication and coordination, leading to more effective crisis management.
Key Components of the Shared Database System
Integrated Dispatch System: The Crisis Center and the Tampa Police Department (TPD) have partnered and developed an integrated dispatch system that facilitates seamless communication and data sharing. When a 911 call related to a mental health crisis is received, the system quickly determines whether it should be handled by law enforcement or an intervention specialist from the Crisis Center.
Real-Time Data Sharing: Information about ongoing incidents, including the nature of the crisis and the individuals involved, is shared in real-time between the Crisis Center and TPD. This ensures that both entities have the most up-to-date information, enabling a coordinated response.
Safety Screening: Before an intervention specialist is dispatched, the shared database is used to screen for any potential safety risks, such as the presence of weapons or a history of violence. This screening process helps protect both the intervention specialists and the individuals in crisis.
Proactive Resource Distribution
The combination of dynamic data and shared databases allows the Crisis Center to distribute resources proactively, rather than reactively. This proactive approach includes:
Early Intervention: By identifying crises early through real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, the Crisis Center can intervene before situations escalate. Early intervention often involves connecting individuals to mental health services, substance abuse treatment, or other community resources.
Targeted Support: The Crisis Center can target support to specific areas or populations that are identified as high-risk through data analysis. This targeted approach ensures that resources are used efficiently and effectively.
Continuous Improvement: The use of dynamic data allows the Crisis Center to continuously evaluate and improve its crisis intervention strategies. By analyzing the outcomes of interventions and adjusting tactics accordingly, the center can enhance its overall effectiveness.
Impact and Success Stories
The Crisis Center's model has already shown promising results. For instance, the recently launched crisis intervention dispatch service program, in partnership with TPD, aims to reduce the number of officer-dispatched calls related to mental health crises. Early indications suggest that intervention specialists successfully manage these calls 97% of the time without needing law enforcement involvement.
Additionally, the Crisis Center's management of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been exemplary. Despite a national trend of unanswered calls, the Crisis Center has achieved an impressive answer rate between 80% and 90%, making it one of the top-performing centers in Florida. Since the lifeline's launch in July 2022, the Crisis Center has answered over 8,800 calls, reflecting a significant increase in outreach and support for those in crisis. CEO Reynolds also notes that suicide calls result in a structured recovery plan, enabling those in crisis to receive the long-term assistance they need, and for 99% of those callers to begin their recovery.
Respect for Every Individual
We were also impressed by the commitment of the Crisis Center to respect for every individual and client. Whether it is the decision of a rape victim to prosecute or not prosecute, an individual experiencing suicidal thoughts or a person experiencing a mental health crisis, the Center is there to support the victim with dignity and respect.
They truly provide a blueprint for other communities seeking to increase public safety, improve their crisis response systems and treating those they serve with compassion and respect. If you have questions, or want to know more about this amazing organization, please contact them.
