Project Summary:
In Wisconsin’s Ashland and Bayfield Counties, mental health crisis response faces significant challenges due to limited resources and remote location, with some residents living up to 60 miles from the nearest services. These rural communities, which include the Bad River and Red Cliff tribal reservations, face higher poverty rates and lower health insurance coverage than the state average. The CAtCH (Chequamegon Accountable: the Community for Health) Plan Project has shown promise in reducing emergency detentions through participant-centered crisis planning, with Ashland County seeing a decrease from 61 to 34 detentions between 2020 and 2023.
This project will aim to enhance the effectiveness of CAtCH Plans by embedding crucial participant information into law enforcement information management systems, making it immediately accessible during crises. This improvement addresses a key barrier identified in the previous implementation: critical information being difficult to access quickly during emergencies. Through partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, health services, and tribal communities, the project will develop new workflows and training materials to ensure seamless integration of participant information into first responder systems.
This initiative represents a significant step toward reducing traumatic and costly emergency detentions while improving mental health crisis response in rural Wisconsin. The streamlined system will serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges, particularly in rural and tribal areas where mental health resources are limited. By creating more accessible and efficient crisis response protocols, the project aims to continue the documented success in reducing emergency detentions while ensuring participant-centered, culturally responsive care delivery.
Community Partners: Ashland County Sheriff’s Department, City of Ashland Police Department, Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department