Shaker Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County in the inner-ring streetcar suburb of Cleveland, abutting the eastern edge of the city’s limits with a population of 29,439.
Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) play a crucial role in bridging the gap between individuals undergoing mental health crises and the resources available to assist them. Recognizing that police officers and paramedics may lack specialized knowledge in mental health, despite frequently responding to such situations, the Shaker Heights Police and Fire Departments have taken proactive steps. They plan to implement a CIT Mental Health Response Team (MHRT), integrating a licensed mental health professional into their ranks. This professional collaborates with police and fire personnel, offering clinical expertise to individuals in crisis and facilitating referrals to services in partnership with MetroHealth/Recovery Resources. This project not only aims to strengthen the existing MHRT but also extend this model to neighboring jurisdictions, including University Heights, Cleveland Heights, South Euclid, Richmond Heights, and the joint dispatch center. Cohort 2023.
Program Goals
- Bridge the gap between individuals experiencing mental health crises and the available resources for assistance
- Implement a CIT Mental Health Response Team (MHRT) within the Shaker Heights Police and Fire Departments by integrating a licensed mental health professional into the MHRT
- Collaborate with police and fire personnel to provide clinical expertise to individuals in crises by facilitating referrals to service in partnership with MetroHealth/Recovery Resources
- Strengthen the existing MHRT by extending the MHRT model to neighboring jurisdictions, including University Heights, Cleveland Heights, South Euclid, Richmond Heights, and the joint dispatch center
Key Partnership Organizations
University Heights | Cleveland Heights | South Euclid | Richmond Heights | Joint Dispatch Center | Recovery Resource
Learn More
Mental Health Response Program | Shaker Heights, OH (shakerheightsoh.gov)
First responder mental health program in 5 Cuyahoga County cities | wkyc.com
“A lot of times, someone in crisis just needs to be heard, and so our mental health professionals and our peers are trained in that active listening and de-escalation to really get what that person needs, so that way they can refer them to the right service,” (Ideastream Public Media, May 7, 2024)
Annette Amistadi
Shaker Heights Licensed Social Worker