EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Children’s Rights is a national advocacy organization that champions the legal rights of children impacted by government systems. In light of the implementation of the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988, the organization enlisted a Capstone team to understand the national landscape of existing mobile crisis response for children and youth. The team conducted a literature review on child and youth crisis care, completed an environmental scan of youth-targeted programs, and assembled a series of program case studies. Based on its analysis, the team produced a final report that includes data on the programs that were evaluated and identifies promising harm-reduction practices to provide police-free crisis care to children in the least restrictive environments possible. The report supports Children’s Rights’ provision of guidance to lawmakers who are working to effectively and equitably implement 988 legislation within their state.