The city of Madison announced it has added a second team for the Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) program, a multiagency program for addressing nonviolent, behavioral health-related emergencies. The second team will be responding from 2120 Fish Hatchery Road to better access and serve the city’s west and south sides. The goal of a CARES response is to assess, deescalate, treat, and refer or transport patients, as needed, to behavioral health services in the community. Since its launch in September 2021, CARES has responded to 674 total calls, with call duration averaging 60 minutes.
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