URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - The Urbana Police Department has announced the launch of its live-response model for the Crisis Co-Response Team (CCRT).

The CCRT will begin Monday, Aug. 18, and builds on an existing pilot program in Urbana, which provided follow-up care and outreach for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

UPD said in a press release Thursday that the CCRT will respond in real time during weekday hours, offer on-scene support, stabilization and greater connection to services.

The team will pair a behavioral health detective with a clinician from Rosecrance, a behavioral health provider in the region.

Urbana police said the goal is to provide a more compassionate approach to crisis response, while reducing the number of unnecessary emergency room visits or arrests.

“The

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