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Co-Responder Program Overview: Springfield − Memorial Behavioral Health
The Memorial Behavioral Health (MBH) co-responder pilot program served individuals experiencing a crisis in Springfield, Illinois. Through the program, mental health providers collaborated with the Springfield Police Department to provide crisis response and victim assistance. This brief summarizes participant characteristics, service responses, and program patterns using administrative data collected between July 2024 and January 2026. During this period, the program served 704 participants, most of whom entered the program through 911 dispatch, and all of whom had experienced a mental health-related crisis. Staff regularly connected participants to social service organizations and provided referrals to support services.
Program Summary
- MBH is one of four co-responder pilot programs established by 2022 Illinois legislation (65 ILCS 5/11-1.5).
- Through the program, mental health providers and a licensed social worker provided crisis assistance, de-escalation, and service referrals in partnership with Springfield police.
- In practice, MBH focused on referral coordination and service linkage while responding to a high volume of mental health crisis calls in residential and public settings.
- Referral pathways were primarily MBH-initiated, with calls for service received from Springfield police, community members, and via the city’s crisis lifeline.
Key Findings
- The program connected participants to substance use, mental health, housing, basic needs, and other support services through on-scene and follow-up engagement.
- Program capacity was relatively high due to the large number of mental health providers, their placement within a behavioral health hospital, and the use of a mobile crisis unit.
Participants and Service Response
The following referral categories are not mutually exclusive and may overlap, as participants were able to receive more than one type of service during a single response, depending on identified needs. For this reason, percentages should not be interpreted as summing to 100%.
From July 2024 to January 2026, the program served 704 participants.
- 83% (572) entered the program through 911 dispatch.
- 100% (704) of participants’ cases were initiated by a first response from both mental health providers and police officers.
- Mental health providers reported that 53% (372) of participants were White.
- Data from mental health providers showed a repeat participant in 58% (412) of cases.
Of the total participants served, program staff:
- Responded to private residences in 61% (430) of participants’ cases.
- Connected 66% (465) of participants’ cases to support services.
- Referred 58% (409) of participants’ cases to mental health treatment.
Program Performance
- Crisis Response: The MBH program provided on-scene support during incidents, and staff initiated warm handoffs to support services.
- Community Outreach: The program supported collaboration and service integration through monthly community coalition meetings with other Springfield service organizations.
- Trust-building: MBH developed community engagement through public-facing events and participation in community-led meetings.
- Program Implementation: The program was staffed by one licensed social worker and four mental health providers, which supported consistent operational coverage.
About the author
Anna Lucia Rizzo is a former Research Fellow in the Center for Justice Research and Evaluation.
Funding acknowledgment
Funding for this research brief was provided through the Illinois Co-Responder Pilot Program, as authorized by 2022 Illinois legislation (65 ILCS 5/11-1.5 (2022)). Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State of Illinois or the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.Suggested citation
Rizzo, A. L. (2026). Co-responder pilot program research brief: Springfield – Memorial Behavioral Health. Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.