Milwaukee County is located in the state of Wisconsin in the most populous county in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of 939,489.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office strives to bolster its CIT Crisis Assessment Response Team (CART) program. These specialized teams consist of a deputy sheriff paired with a mental health counselor, poised to respond to 911 calls necessitating mental health support. This approach facilitates a collaborative response, combining the expertise of a behavioral health clinician with the training of a law enforcement officer to effectively address behavioral health crises within the community. At the scene, CART conducts assessments, provides stabilization services, and works to connect individuals with voluntary treatment options, thereby offering an alternative to involuntary detention or arrest. CART operates three dedicated vehicles, provides branded apparel for team members and plans to continue participation in annual CIT training. Cohort 2023.
Program Goals
- Enhance the Crisis Assessment Response Team (CART) program operated by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office
- Establish specialized teams comprising a deputy sheriff and a mental health counselor, equipped to respond to 911 calls requiring mental health assistance
- Promote a collaborative approach that leverages the expertise of both behavioral health clinicians and law enforcement officers to manage behavioral health crises with the community
- Conduct assessments and provide stabilization services at crisis scenes and facilitate connections with voluntary treatment options, thereby offering an alternative to involuntary detention or arrest
- Ensure the availability of dedicated CART vehicles and branded apparel for team members
- Maintain participation in local and national Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training to enhance team member skills and knowledge.
Key Partnership Organizations
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office | Milwaukee MH Crisis Response Team | Dr. Ben Watson | Milwaukee Police Department
Learn More
Sheriff’s deputies help rescue man threatening to jump from Hoan Bridge (cbs58.com)