Part 6/12:
Non-Police Approaches: The CAHOOTS Model and Community-Led Initiatives
A groundbreaking shift is exemplified by CAHOOTS in Eugene, Oregon—a nonprofit organization that has been operating for over 30 years. CAHOOTS sends out two-person teams comprising a medic and a crisis worker, without any police involvement, to address mental health crises. The results have been promising: they respond to around 20% of 911 calls, saving the local medical system approximately $4 million in 2018.