City of Long Beach Announces Citywide Expansion of Community Crisis Response Team
The Californer/10322238

Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has announced the expansion of its Community Crisis Response (CCR) team to serve the entire city. The CCR team, which was first introduced as a pilot program in West Long Beach in 2023 and later expanded to the downtown area in early 2024, will now be available to all residents.

According to Mayor Rex Richardson, this expansion is a crucial step towards promoting positive health outcomes and ensuring that all community members have access to mental health support and resources. "This is about meeting the community where they are and providing the proper mental health and wellbeing support everyone deserves," said Mayor Richardson.

The CCR team operates on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers immediate mental health support, crisis intervention, de-escalation services, health education, and resource navigation assistance. This expansion was made possible through collaboration with the Police Department and community stakeholders who identified the need for broader service areas beyond the original pilot regions.

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The CCR team is an interdepartmental effort involving several City departments such as Health, Fire, Police, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications. Dispatch operations are managed through the Emergency Communications Center via the Long Beach non-emergency line at 562.435.6711.

Since its launch in July 2023, the CCR team has provided support for over 863 community members facing mental health crises, substance use concerns, public disturbances, and resource navigation needs. Out of these calls for service, 59% were resolved on-scene with direct resources such as food, water, harm reduction supplies, or clothing provided in 58% of cases. Additionally, 25% resulted in referrals to other support services while 11% received transportation services. Only 6% required assistance from other Public Safety services such as the Long Beach Police Department or Fire Department.

To promote transparency and provide real-time program performance metrics, the CCR team maintains a publicly accessible data dashboard with detailed data. "The expansion of CCR reflects the program's proven impact and effectiveness," said Health and Human Services Director Alison King. "We're proud to offer community members a compassionate response to crises and are committed to expanding our reach to meet the City's needs."

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Funding for the CCR team comes from a combination of state grants and local funds, including a $1 million, two-year grant awarded in 2024 through the Board of State and Community Corrections' Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program. This grant was awarded through a competitive process and will expire in September 2026.

Community members seeking support for someone in crisis or referrals related to mental health or basic needs can call the City's non-emergency line at 562.435.6711, which is answered by the Emergency Communications Center. For immediate attention during a mental health crisis, individuals are encouraged to call 9-1-1.

For more information about the CCR team, visit longbeach.gov/CCR. The City is committed to providing compassionate support and resources for all community members in need.

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