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About Alternative
Crisis Response
Alternative Crisis Response (ACR) has grown from an LA County Board of Supervisors initiative to a reliable, around-the-clock alternative to law enforcement for mental health crisis support.
The goal of ACR is to treat individuals quickly, effectively, and with empathy, and to meet their needs with the least restrictive level of care, so they can remain in their community.
ACR aligns the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and LACDMH 24/7 Help Line (someone to contact), Field Intervention Teams (someone to respond), Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers and Crisis Residential Treatment Programs (somewhere to go), and Follow-Up Teams (somewhere to treat) to create a coordinated and clinically sound crisis care continuum.
Someone to contact
24/7 Help Line
The free and confidential LACDMH 24/7 Help Line is an entry point for all mental health and substance-use services in LA County. Anyone can call this line for support referrals and resources, or to request dispatch of a Field Intervention Team for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Call 800-854-7771,
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
A team of trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 to help people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health crisis, substance-use crisis, or emotional distress. To learn more about the available services, visit our 988 Information page.
Call or Text 988 or chat online.
Someone to contact
24/7 Help Line
The free and confidential LACDMH 24/7 Help Line is an entry point for all mental health and substance-use services in LA County. Anyone can call this line for support referrals and resources, or to request dispatch of a Field Intervention Team for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Call 800-854-7771.
988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline
A team of trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 to help people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health crisis, substance-use crisis, or emotional distress. To learn more about the available services, visit our 988 Information page.
Call or Text 988 or chat online at
https://988lifeline.org/chat/
Someone to respond
Field Intervention Teams
Field Intervention Teams (FIT) are a key part of the ACR program. We have two types: civilian mobile response teams staffed solely by mental health professionals, and co-response teams, a partnership between LACDMH and specially trained law enforcement officers.
Someone to respond
Field Intervention Teams
Field Intervention Teams (FIT) are a key part of the ACR program. We have two types: civilian mobile response teams staffed solely by mental health professionals, and co-response teams, a partnership between LACDMH and specially trained law enforcement officers.
Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT)
Teams of LACDMH mental health professionals provide a non-law enforcement crisis response for individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies in the community. Each team includes a clinician and peer specialist trained to evaluate individuals at risk of harming themselves or who are unable to meet their basic needs. PMRT focuses on de-escalation and compassionate intervention, aiming to prevent hospitalization, incarceration, or further harm whenever possible. If needed, PMRT can also evaluate for involuntary hospitalization and transport, as well as referrals to treatment resources and follow-up services. Some of our teams (Therapeutic Transportation) are equipped to transport clients to various destinations for additional care, eliminating the need for an ambulance.
To ensure continuous 24/7 crisis response, LACDMH partners with Brain Health, Vista Del Mar, and Sycamores to provide supplemental coverage overnight, and on weekends and holidays.
Call our 24/7 Help Line 800-854-7771.
Co-Response Law Enforcement Teams
LACDMH has embedded licensed mental health clinicians with nearly every law enforcement agency in the county, including the Los Angeles Police Department (Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Team) and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (Mental Evaluation Team). Our clinicians are paired with specially trained law enforcement officers to respond to 911 calls involving mental health crises. These teams diffuse potentially violent situations, assist with inpatient placement, and/or link individuals to outpatient services and community resources. By providing specialized care and safe transportation to treatment facilities, these teams aim to reduce use of force incidents and avoid unnecessary incarcerations.
Somewhere to go
Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers
Our UCCs offer intensive, short-term crisis care in a welcoming, less clinical setting that aims to stabilize individuals within 24 hours and prevent unnecessary hospitalization. Services are available anytime day or night for both voluntary and involuntary individuals, and include immediate evaluations, therapy, medication management, and referrals.
Walk-in or transport via Field Intervention Teams
See our list of available UCCs
Crisis Residential Treatment Programs
This active social rehabilitation program offers supportive services in a home-like setting for adults experiencing acute psychiatric distress that affects their daily functioning. The program was designed to help individuals stabilize and regain their independence.
Request a referral from the emergency department, Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers, inpatient psychiatry, or your outpatient psychiatric provider.
Somewhere to treat
Follow-Up Teams
Once the immediate crisis is over, it’s critical that clients are connected to appropriate treatment and services to prevent future episodes from occurring. Our dedicated Follow-Up Teams contact every client within 72 hours to ensure they receive ongoing treatment, urgent appointment scheduling, and the support they need after a crisis.
Somewhere to go
Psychiatric Urgent
Care Centers
Our UCCs offer intensive, short-term crisis care in a welcoming, less clinical setting that aims to stabilize individuals within 24 hours and prevent unnecessary hospitalization. Services are available anytime day or night for both voluntary and involuntary individuals, and include immediate evaluations, therapy, medication management, and referrals.
Walk-in or transport via Field Intervention Teams
See our list of available UCCs
Crisis Residential
Treatment Programs
This active social rehabilitation program offers supportive services in a home-like setting for adults experiencing acute psychiatric distress that affects their daily functioning. The program was designed to help individuals stabilize and regain their independence.
Request a referral from the emergency department, Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers, inpatient psychiatry, or your outpatient psychiatric provider.
Somewhere to treat
Follow-Up Teams
Once the immediate crisis is over, it’s critical that clients are connected to appropriate treatment and services to prevent future episodes from occurring. Our dedicated Follow-Up Teams contact every client within 72 hours to ensure they receive ongoing treatment, urgent appointment scheduling, and the support they need after a crisis.
By the Numbers
1,800
Average monthly FIT deployments to provide in-person
support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis
96%
FIT deployments resolved without law enforcement
98%
Conversations safely resolved over the phone by 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
5,300
Average monthly
crisis calls to the 24/7
Help Line
6,100
Average monthly
calls, chats, and texts
to 988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline
40,000
Visits to our nine
Psychiatric Urgent Care
Centers each year
2 hrs
Average time from
call to arrival in
December 2024
ACR Timeline
June 2020
LA County launches the ACR initiative in partnership with LACDMH and Alternatives to Incarceration
October 2020
Congress establishes 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as the national mental health crisis line
July 2022
988 officially launches with Didi Hirsch operating the 988 Call Center for Los Angeles County
November 2022
LACDMH takes over ACR implementation with 34 FIT operating primarily during business hours
August 2023
LACDMH creates a dedicated ACR unit to oversee system policies, partnerships, and coordination
September 2023
LACDMH launches new ACR hiring campaign, doubling the number of FIT teams over nine months
December 2023
ACR’s 24/7 mobile crisis response expands countywide
April 2024
LACDMH increases available FIT for nights/weekends and effectively reduces wait times by 70%
By the
Numbers
1,800
96%
98%
5,300
Average monthly crisis calls to the 24/7 Help Line40,000
Visits to our nine Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers each year2 hrs
Average time from call to arrival in December 20246,100
Average monthly calls, chats, and texts to 988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineACR Timeline
2020
- June
LA County launches the ACR initiative in partnership with LACDMH and Alternatives to Incarceration - October
Congress establishes 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as the national mental health crisis line
2022
- July
988 officially launches with Didi Hirsch operating the 988 Call Center for Los Angeles County - November
LACDMH takes over ACR implementation with 34 FIT operating primarily during business hours
2023
- August
LACDMH creates a dedicated ACR unit to oversee system policies, partnerships, and coordination - September
LACDMH launches new ACR hiring campaign, doubling the number of FIT teams over nine months - December
ACR’s 24/7 mobile crisis response expands countywide
2024
- April
LACDMH increases available FIT for nights/weekends and effectively reduces wait times by 70%
ACR News
Spreading Awareness of ACR Through Health Neighborhood Meetings.
Press 3 Option and Our New Diversion Programs with LA County Sheriffs.
June 2025 Newsletter
Interview with our Didi Hirsh Spanish Bilingual Program Coordinator and a Spectacular Billboard Display
Work for Us
Be a part of the team that shows up first with compassion and expertise during a crisis and provides a safer alternative to law enforcement. We’re currently seeking motivated, empathetic mental health clinicians and community health workers to join our Field Intervention Teams.
Apply now
We’re hiring skilled, caring professionals across various disciplines and diverse career paths
Rewards and Benefits
For more information on how rewarding working for LACDMH can be, visit www.doworthwhilework.com
Take part in meaningful work that directly impacts the lives of individuals in crisis and grow your career with specialized training and advancement opportunities. LACDMH offers a supportive environment and a dedicated team committed to hope, recovery, and wellbeing.
Up to $10,000 in signing and retention bonuses
$280 per month field bonus
Higher hourly shift differential for night and weekend shifts
Additional monthly bonus for bilingual speakers
Stipends/Mental Health Loan Repayment programs available for specific disciplines
GET HELP
(800) 854-7771
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text 988 or chat online.
Get 24/7 help: LACDMH Help Line (800) 854-7771 or 988