Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Wednesday that the city’s CARE Program will officially expand to all 77 community areas across Chicago, bringing mental health crisis response teams to neighborhoods citywide, according to CBS Chicago.
The CARE Program — which stands for Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement — provides a non-police response to certain mental health-related 911 calls. The initiative sends teams made up of mental health professionals and paramedics to assist individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, emotional distress, or substance abuse-related emergencies.
The city officials say the expansion marks a major step in Chicago’s efforts to improve public safety and mental health care services while reducing the unnecessary police involvement in non-violent situations.
The program first launched as a pilot back in 2021 on the city’s West Side before gradually expanding into additional neighborhoods. Leaders say that the specialized response teams have successfully handled thousands of calls by focusing on de-escalation, crisis intervention, and connecting residents with long-term support services.
The supporters of the initiative believe the CARE Program helps provide a more compassionate and effective response for people struggling with mental health challenges. Advocates have also pushed for increased investments in mental health resources across Chicago communities.
With the latest expansion, residents in every part of the city will now have access to the program when calling 911 for eligible mental health emergencies. Dispatchers will determine whether a CARE team can safely respond to a situation instead of the police officers.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said that the city remains committed to strengthening community-based approaches to public safety and ensuring residents receive the care and support they need during moments of crisis.
The expansion is being carried out through collaboration between the city, emergency responders, and public health officials as Chicago continues working to reshape how mental health emergencies are handled.
