Youth Mobile Response Services: An Investment to Decriminalize Mental Health

This report evaluates the role of law enforcement and mental health systems in the United States and their relationships to racial justice – recognizing that over the past few centuries these systems have caused more harm than good. The report highlights an important alternative to using law enforcement to respond to mental health and social crisis: mobile response. While many states already have a mobile response system, they often lack the resources and structure to effectively and equitably engage communities of color. This report for federal, state, and local government entities offers: 

• examples of states that have created good mobile response systems, 
• principles for implementation, 
• funding opportunities, and 
• federal recommendations.