Intercept 0: Community Services

Co-Responder Initiative

In partnership with law enforcement, OCHN Clinicians co-respond with local law enforcement to calls that are identified as requiring mental health/substance use related support. The Clinician offers crisis intervention to de-escalate and/or stabilize children / adults to prevent further justice involvement, when possible. In addition, individuals are provided with service coordination, and referral/linkage to resources, including mental health and/or substance use services. Since August 2021, over 1,500 (4/20/23) individuals have been assisted by the Co-Responder Clinicians.  

We currently have four (4) Co-Responders in the following communities: 

  • Two (2) Clinicians embedded among four (4) departments:
    • Auburn Hills Police Department
    • Birmingham Police Department
    • Bloomfield Township Police Department
    • Rochester Police Department
  • One (1) Clinician embedded at each agency:
    • Troy Police Department
    • Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (Pontiac)

If you are a local law enforcement agency and are interested in partnering with OCHN to have an embedded clinician, please contact Siiri Sikora at sikoras@oaklandchn.org or Trisha Zizumbo at zizumbot@oaklandchn.org.


Mental Health Access and Juvenile Justice Diversion

Through a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services grant a Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Coordinator assists with early identification of mental health needs in at-risk youth (age 6 -17). This position works directly with youth and families by administering age-appropriate screening tools and connecting the individual with resources based on the results. Follow-up services are provided to ensure that the individual was able to connect with the referrals.  

Click here to submit a referral.

Link to OCHN's Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Coordination Information

For questions, email youthmentalhealth@oaklandchn.org.