The Summit County Sheriff's Office has established the System-wide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART) program. The goal of the program is to de-escalate situations that have historically resulted in arrest or hospitalization and to assess whether the person should be referred for local treatment services or a higher level of care.

Each team in the program consists of a law enforcement officer and a behavioral health specialist who co-respond to mental health related police calls. They then collaborate with the third member of the team, the case manager, who provides critical follow-up for the client, connecting them with the most appropriate community resources. The program delivers a continuum of care from crisis response through stabilization, with the ultimate goal of safe return to the community.

The SMART program is designed to address the unique mental health needs of the community. It provides a wide variety of specialized skills, services, and response capabilities reflecting the intersection of Summit County's diverse community and its relationship to mental health. By addressing these needs, SMART is able to make the community a safer place.

HOW TO GET HELP

SMART will respond to emergency and nonemergency crisis calls.

• Call 911 in an emergency
• Summit County non-emergency dispatch: 970-668-8600
• Colorado Crisis Services: 844-493-8255