Whistleblower says Chicago’s mental health crisis response program has been failing – CBS2 (Chicago)

"Now, the CARE team is never dispatched to calls. So in some ways, sure, it made it easier, because they have nothing to do — and there's only been 12 calls in the last three weeks," the whistleblower said. In 2023, the Johnson administration promised to quadruple the number of CARE teams. So far, only one has been added — making five teams composed of EMTs and mental health professionals.
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Hello, Indiana!
9 months ago

One report tallied about 1200 calls-over six years. By the way, answering the phone counts as action being taken. Also revealed was that these people work M-F pretty much 9-5, thus necessitating the need for police intervention a majority of the time anyway. Another social services cash black hole in the fine “ machine “ tradition.

daskoterzar
9 months ago

What a surprise. Yet another “program” that costs millions…and nothing done, no work, high pay and more pension costs. Excellent work mayor Pinhead – your plan is working perfectly.

Where's Mine ???
9 months ago

bad reporting:
—No info given on programs total budget?, # of workers?, etc?
—What are qualifications of metal health crisis response workers are they–fully licensed psychologists or psychiatrists? or some guys that got their substance abuse counseling certificate at city colleges? or less?
—Are workers city employees or covered by any collective bargaining agreement?
—What services does this program provide that CPD doesn’t already provide?

Ditto questions for cities reopened community mental health centers

Where's Mine ???
9 months ago

Here’s more bad reporting on CTU/Brandons response to whistle blower allegations CARES-mental health response program: –“the CARE program has helped more than 1,000 people since it began.” it was started in 2021 —what does ‘helped” mean? they answered 1,000 phone calls, talked to a couple folks in homeless camps since 2021? Or what? —Chicago CARES program was modeled after Portland OR program which has been are disbanded You can be sure, like a zillion other programs, this was a ARPA-COVID funded program that now that the fed funds are gone dopey taxpayers are going to be asked to pick up… Read more »

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