Plano Co-Responder Project

The Plano Co-Responder Project is a partnership between LifePath Systems (lead applicant and mental health agency partner) and Plano Police Department (criminal justice agency partner) with a purpose and goal to improve the law enforcement-behavioral health crisis response collaboration efforts in the City of Plano that target people with mental health disorders (MHDs) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs) and promote public health and public safety. LifePath is seeking $550,000 to implement the project over a 3-year period.

The project will address the program-specific priority area of promoting effective strategies by law enforcement to identify and reduce the risk of harm to individuals with MHD/MHSUD who encounter law enforcement. 

The target population will be approximately 2,000 adults (ages 18+) in the City of Plano with MHD/MHSUD who come into contact with law enforcement, including those who are homeless or live in zip code areas 75074, 75023, 75025, and 75075, which have higher rates of MHD/MHSUD crisis calls compared to other areas in Plano. 

Primary project activities include: 1) creating two co-responder teams comprised of one officer and one mental health professional dispatched to in-progress police calls involving people with MHD/MHSUD; 2) providing evidence-based risk and need screening and assessment, and connecting individuals to appropriate services during crisis calls, when appropriate; 3) providing follow-up and care coordination services for people served by the co-responder teams; 4) engaging in ongoing training for culturally appropriate crisis response efforts for both partners using a DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) lens; and 5) contracting with an external consultant to facilitate planning activities, as well as help design and implement a comprehensive plan for collecting, monitoring, and reporting performance measurements.

Expected outcomes include (1) the development of a comprehensive law enforcement-behavioral health response program for people with MHD/MHSUD in the City of Plano to reduce their need for higher levels of care, reduce likelihood of future crisis episodes involving law enforcement, and assist with their long-term recovery; (2) provision of evidence-based services; and (3) ongoing program assessments for efficacy and effectiveness, including as it pertains to racial equity and removing barriers to access to treatment and services.

LifePath Systems is not a previous recipient of JMHCP or Connect and Protect grant funds.