Co-Responder Program
About the Co-Responder Program
The co-responders are licensed mental health clinicians who work in close partnership with the Denver Police Department, responding to calls involving people who suffer from mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use issues.
How does the Co-Responder Program Work?
The Co-Responder program consists of a partnership between Denver Human Services’ Office of Behavioral Health Strategies (OBHS), the Denver Police Department (DPD) and WellPower.
The Co-Responder program is housed within Denver’s Crisis Intervention and Response Unit (CIRU), which supports an overall effort to expand law enforcement and behavioral health strategies to meet the needs of people with behavioral/mental health concerns in Denver.
The CIRU, including the Co-Responder program, strives to:
- Reduce the number of people with mental health issues in the jail system
- Improve information sharing and coordination across systems and service providers
- Reduce overall costs relating to people with mental or behavioral health concerns, including the use of emergency services
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Our Co-Responder program has response teams with RTD, the Denver Sherriff Department, Denver Police Department, Auraria Campus and the Denver airport.
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The clinicians are trained to assist people in crisis and provide the most effective services for resolution. Crisis can take many forms and is defined uniquely by the individual. Clinicians and officers collaborate to provide treatment in a format that best decreases current stressors and replaces them with long term community-based supports.
Sometimes, meeting an individual or family’s needs related to behavioral health concerns does not require a formal treatment referral but rather the identification of resources, alternative treatment options and long-term community supports.
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Find Us in the News
New Mental Health Clinicians Are A Key Part Of RTD’s Changing Security System
CPR News | March 25, 2021
Denver RTD hires three clinicians to assist customers experiencing mental health issues
Mass Transit | February 23, 2021
Denver’s police partnership with mental health professionals likely to extend through 2020
Colorado Politics | December 19, 2019
Denver Police sees success by pairing behavioral health specialists with officers
9News | December 18, 2019
If you don’t know where to begin getting mental health, substance use or emotional help for yourself or someone you know—start here. We provide confidential and immediate support, 24/7/365. If you are in crisis or need help dealing with one, you can:
- Call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) to speak to a trained professional.
- Text TALK to 38255
- Visit any Walk-In Center. The nearest one to WellPower services is located at 4353 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80220