Crisis Stabilization
Highlighted Resources
Tips for Successfully Implementing Crisis Stabilization Units (2021)
Produced By: Council of State Governments Justice Center
Supported By: Bureau of Justice Assistance
Description: A growing number of jurisdictions are creating crisis stabilization units (CSUs) to provide officers with an option to link people to the most appropriate supportive services, help reduce arrests, and improve outcomes for people with behavioral health needs. This brief provides an overview of CSUs for criminal justice professionals and offers universal, practical tips to design and operate a successful CSU.
Keywords: crisis stabilization units
Produced By: Council of State Governments Justice Center; National Police Foundation
Description: Crisis stabilization units offer law enforcement officers and mobile crisis teams a safe place to bring people in behavioral health crisis, often in lieu of arrest or emergency hospitalization. However, they can be challenging to establish without the appropriate funding and support from key partners needed to operate the units effectively. Creating buy-in among referral sources, is one important component of achieving this support needed. This brief offers crisis stabilization unit leaders three best practices for collaborating with referral sources to ensure its success.
Keywords: crisis stabilization units; mobile crisis teams; behavioral health; referral sources; collaboration; law enforcement officers
Other Resources
4 Tips to Successfully Open a Crisis Stabilization Unit (2020)
Produced By: Council of State Governments Justice Center
Supported By: Bureau of Justice Assistance
Description: This resource provides tips to opening Crisis Stabilization Units and includes a face-to-face video with the Governor Hutchinson of Arkansas about their newly opened crisis stabilization center.
Keywords: crisis stabilization unit; mental health; law enforcement
Triage Centers as Alternatives to Jail for People in Behavioral Health Crises
Produced By: National League of Cities (NLC)
Supported By: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Description: Triage centers provide a strong opportunity to bring first responders and community-based service providers together to effectively address behavioral health crises and improve quality of life across a city. The National League of Cities collected examples and guidance on triage centers from national partners and cities across the country.
Keywords: Triage centers; diversion; crisis stabilization
Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) Intake Procedures, Santa Barbara County (2019)
Produced By: Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness
Description: This resource is a policy for crisis stabilization unit intake procedures by Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness. It includes the target population, referral and initial screening, approval and exclusionary criteria, and intake procedures.
Keywords: Crisis stabilization unit; intake procedures
Medical Clearance Procedures, Santa Barbara County (2019)
Produced By: Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness
Description: This resource is a policy for crisis stabilization unit (CSU) medical clearance procedures for Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness. It includes CSU medical screening and physician-to-physician communication.
Keywords: Crisis stabilization unit; medical clearance procedures