MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -Madison’s Community Alternative Response Emergency Services team has new vans on the road, giving people experiencing behavioral health crises a private space to receive care outside of a hospital or jail setting.
Each van is equipped with a table, seating, medication and supplies to allow one-on-one conversations and personalized care. The vehicles are designed to bring services directly to people in need.
How the teams work
The CARES team pairs a Madison Fire Department community paramedic with a Journey Mental Health crisis worker to respond to calls. The program’s focus is to reduce the burden on emergency medical services, fire departments and police.
“The beauty of this CARES team is they don’t have to transport to the ER like an ambulance does, so we are focusing on diversion to the ER and diversion away from the jail system,” said Madison Fire Dept. Division Chief Lisa Becher. “So they have the flexibility of transporting patients to where their needs may be, whether it’s some sort of homeless shelter or another mental health institute that would best suit their needs.”…