First Step of Sarasota Announces Formation of Behavioral Health Response Team, Partnering with Law Enforcement

December 16, 2020 – Sarasota

First Step of Sarasota announces the formation of a Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT), a pilot program for high need individuals and their families with behavioral health needs.  This service, in collaboration with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota Police Department, will focus on providing a system of care within the community for those with behavioral health needs who are in crisis. 

The goal of this pilot program is to lessen trauma, divert from emergency departments, prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations and collaborate with law enforcement when a behavioral health crisis is taking place for high need individuals.  

The Behavioral Health Response Team is a 24/7/365 service mobilized to the home, hospital, office or any other site in the community, meeting the high need individuals (18+) in their environment thereby eliminating stress.   The BHRT team will address the needs of the individuals by creating a safety plan that is unique to that individual (personalized, person centered care).  The safety plan will be recorded with the BHRT team and law enforcement and it will identify coping mechanisms, supports that are in place, individualized triggers and any psychiatric advance directives. 

Gwen MacKenzie, CEO of First Step noted “As we think about the stress of our current times it is entirely appropriate for us as a helping organization to think about meeting people with mental illness or substance use challenges as early as we can and in a setting they feel safe in. We hope through these approaches to prevent crises and acute events.  We are fortunate to have the collaboration of law enforcement and their leadership.”  

The Behavioral Health Response Team will use experienced, Masters-level and licensed clinicians in partnership with psychiatrists and law enforcement to provide therapeutic interventions in the community in addition to on-site services.  The team will be trained in crisis intervention skills to ensure timely access to supports and services.    

“The Sarasota Police Department is proud to partner with First Step on this important initiative.  We have been working for a long time to implement a response program to address mental health issues in our community,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino.  “While our officers receive crisis response training, having a trained professional work with high need individuals will take a burden off of law enforcement ultimately benefitting the individual, their family, and our community.  We look forward to implementing this pilot program as well as future partnership initiatives with First Step.”  

The Behavioral Health Response Team will also be extremely effective during these challenging times due to the pandemic. COVID-19 has exacerbated underlying issues for individuals with depression and anxiety due to isolation and socioeconomic stressors.  This leads to higher likelihood of mental health problems, addiction issues and suicide.  

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, who is also incoming CEO of First Step noted, “This team is an outgrowth of the national conversation about the sometimes difficult intersection of policing and mental health issues. We are proud to be taking proactive steps to create a system that works for our community. As it evolves, we envision that people with mental health issues and their family members will have a place to call not only during a crisis but well before, reducing unnecessary law enforcement actions and preventing worst case scenarios.  We hope to see this become a model for our region and state.”

The goal of the Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT) is to lessen trauma, divert from emergency departments, prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations and collaborate with law enforcement when a behavioral health crisis is taking place.