A new team is transforming how Cerro Gordo County responds to mental health and substance use emergencies. The Community Crisis Response Team, or CCRT, launched earlier this year, brings together first responders and behavioral health professionals to respond to 911 calls involving emotional distress. Instead of defaulting to arrest or hospitalization, trained teams work on-site to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with care and support.
The effort is led by Cerro Gordo Public Health and includes partners like Prairie Ridge, which is a regional mental health and addiction services provider, and 43 North Iowa, which supports individuals with disabilities through residential and vocational programs. Law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies are also active partners.
The program operates daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., funded by local grants and opioid settlement dollars, with plans to expand to 24/7 coverage.
Full press release here: cerro-gordo-county-launches-community-crisis-response-team
