What Is Community Safety?
ACS Is Behavioral Health First Response
ACS First Responders provide professional support for behavioral health and quality-of-life crises. If you need help:
- Call 9-1-1 for emergencies
- Call 3-1-1 for non-emergencies or next-day follow-ups
What Kinds of Calls Are Eligible for an ACS Response?
ACS Responders address a variety of issues including:
- Behavioral health crises, such as a loved one with a mental health disorder who has become upset and is making threats.
- Suicidal ideation, when you or a loved one are thinking of committing suicide and may even have a plan and the means to do so.
- Disturbances, such as someone yelling outside a business or people arguing in a public space.
- Welfare checks, such as an elderly parent you haven’t been able to get ahold of.
- Wellness checks, such as a person lying in a median whose safety you’re concerned for.
- Unsheltered individuals, who need support and connection to services.
- Panhandlers, when they are in need of support or are in an unsafe location.
- Other crises that do not involve a crime or a medical emergency
ACS Responders at a Glance
Every ACS response is tailored to the situation's unique circumstances, with different responder types available based on the nature of the call. All responders complete the ACS Academy, a foundational training program that equips them with the skills to de-escalate crises, provide support, and connect people to resources. Callers don’t need to worry about choosing the right responder; 9-1-1 dispatch will ensure the appropriate team is sent.
Behavioral Health Responders (BHRs)
What They Do
Respond to behavioral health crises, chronic mental illness, and situations that need de-escalation or mediation.
Who They Are
- Teams of two trained professionals with experience in behavioral health and crisis intervention.
- Equipped to manage behavioral health crises and connect people to services.
Calls They Handle
Behavioral health crises, suicidal thoughts, disturbances, welfare checks, and more.
Community Responders (CRs)
What They Do
Handle lower-level wellness checks, support for unsheltered individuals, and concerns that need resource navigation but not advanced behavioral health expertise.
Who They Are
- Teams of two entry-level responders trained to resolve everyday concerns and support community members.
- Focused on addressing immediate needs and resource navigation.
Calls They Handle
Wellness checks, unsheltered individuals, and other quality-of-life concerns.
Street Outreach Responders (SORs)
What They Do
Respond to calls involving unsheltered individuals and encampments, connecting people with resources and supporting them in finding stable housing and services.
Who They Are
- Teams of two experienced professionals with expertise in homelessness outreach and resource navigation.
- Focused on building trust and providing long-term solutions for unsheltered individuals.
Calls They Handle
Encampments and unsheltered individuals needing assistance.
Additional Efforts
ACS’s commitment to street outreach extends beyond calls for service, with specialized programs and initiatives designed to provide ongoing support for individuals experiencing homelessness. Learn more about our Street Outreach Initiatives.
Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) Clinicians
What They Do
Co-respond with police to handle high-risk behavioral health crises that require both clinical expertise and law enforcement support.
Who They Are
- Independently licensed mental health professionals with extensive crisis intervention training.
- They partner with APD Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team (E-CIT) officers for safety and support.
Calls They Handle
Mental health crises where a weapon or other high-risk factors merit more caution.
Triage Specialists
What They Do
Work with 9-1-1 operators and police dispatchers to identify calls that can be routed to ACS. They also coordinate all non-9-1-1 requests for ACS and may call people back to gather details or resolve situations over the phone.
Who They Are
- Experts in identifying the right team for each situation, ensuring effective and efficient responses.
- Trained through the ACS Academy and modified dispatcher training to fully understand ACS responder capabilities and support 9-1-1 operations effectively.
Calls They Handle
All ACS-related calls from 9-1-1 or 3-1-1, as well as direct requests for assistance.
Beyond First Response: Violence Prevention & Intervention
ACS doesn’t just respond to calls. Our Violence Prevention & Intervention (VPI) division works to address the root causes of violence through six specialized programs designed to build safer communities. Learn more about these programs on our VPI Division page.