The Long Beach Community Crisis Response teams handle issues related to mental health, resource needs and other non-emergencies.
Long Beach will expand its pilot program of the Community Crisis Response (CCR) team to the downtown area and East Village, after it identified the West Long Beach rollout as a success.
The CCR team responds to a subset of calls-for-service for mental health support, health education and resource connections as needed rather than emergency services. The West Long Beach three-person team was introduced in July 2023 through Long Beach Recovery Act funds.
Downtown Long Beach and the East Village are expected to receive CCR teams later this month.
Services the CCR teams provide include:
- Crisis intervention support
- De-escalation
- General health education
- Suicide assessment and intervention
- Items for basic needs such as hygiene, clothing, nutrition supplements
- Triage to people requiring minimal medical aid such as scrapes, cuts and bruising. (Injuries must not impact one’s ability to walk and people must be able to function freely without assistance, remain cognizant and be able to respond to questions accurately.)
- Transportation to appropriate resources such as the Multi-Service Center, mental health urgent cares, housing services, among others
- Resource navigation and referral support for services
The CCR team works on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to a statement from the City, the CCR team was able to provide direct supplies or resources to 95% of calls sent out, while 38% of calls required referrals to other services. Housing and homelessness services were required for 47% of calls made and 10% of calls needed assistance from police, fire or medical services.
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