Flossmoor is out in front of a 2027 deadline for how to deal with mental health interventions on emergency calls. The early start to using this new approach is showing signs of success, according to village officials.
Generally, police are called to the scene of someone needing mental or behavioral health care. Now the village is in partnership with Grand Prairie Services jointly using a Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT).
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Illinois legislators passed the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA) in 2021. The act mandates emergency response operators to refer those mental and behavioral health care calls to a service that can dispatch a team of mental-health professionals instead of the police.
This marked a significant change in state policy, as it will now require coordination between law enforcement and non-police responders.
Flossmoor has already been utilizing Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) in a partnership between Flossmoor Fire Department, Flossmoor Police Department, Ecom emergency dispatch center and Grand Prairie Services with funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health Services.
Flossmoor emergency responders have worked with Grand Prairie since 2023 but enhanced that effort in July.
The partnership also makes licensed mental health professionals available to community members twice a week at the Flossmoor Police Station.
When on a call, police or fire crews assess the situation at the scene to determine if the MCRT is required. If the need for a MCRT was identified, crews would remain on-site until the MCRT team arrived to de-escalate the situation or provide assistance to the individual in need.
The new program, started in July, is a co-responder model that involves having the MCRT professional embedded with first responders on calls, allowing for quicker mental/behavioral health evaluations.
“When it is determined that a call involves a person in crisis, the goal is to get the right resources there as quickly as we can,” Flossmoor Fire Chief Bob Kopec said. “By participating in this program, we have the opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping positive change in emergency response.”
Approximately 15 calls since July have required the presence of a skilled MCRT professional in Flossmoor. Mental and behavioral health-related calls for help are up across the Southland region served by Ecom and SouthCom, about 140 more calls in 2024 than in 2023.
“It’s time that MCRTs be treated like the fourth branch of first responders, along with law enforcement, fire and EMS,” Kopec said.
Some larger suburban towns with more resources, such as Roselle and Joliet, have full-time social workers on staff. For a village the size of Flossmoor, this grant-funded co-responder model has been effective and beneficial to the community, according to Police Chief Carl Estelle.
“The MCRT’s ability to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises with compassion, specialized training, and appropriate resources ensures that residents receive the care and support they truly need,” Estelle said. “This collaboration has allowed our officers to focus on public safety, while ensuring that those in crisis are met with understanding and professional assistance, ultimately strengthening trust and improving outcomes across our community.”
According to Joseph Thomas Jr., director of Mobile Crisis Services for Grand Prairie, the team from Flossmoor was recently instrumental in saving a person in crisis in a nearby forest preserve.
“The person was located with a drone, and we were able to provide immediate care for the individual,” Thomas said.
In addition to responding to calls, licensed professionals from Grand Prairie Services are available to assist residents in person on a walk-in basis at the Flossmoor Police Department lobby. They are available to help residents of all ages with a variety of needs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“We are here two days per week to respond to those in stress, those who need emotional help, even when it’s not an emergency situation,” Thomas said. “We offer a support network to help them find the help they need.”
Flossmoor’s current objectives regarding MCRT include expanding the availability of the co-responder model to other communities, as well as educating residents.
Anyone interested in learning more, or would like to have a presentation about this program for a homeowners association or community organization, can learn more by emailing to [email protected].
Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental- or behavioral-health crisis, call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Similar to 911, when a person in need calls or texts 988 they will receive free and confidential support for themselves or their loved ones. Learn more at www.988lifeline.org.