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CAHOOTS: 24-Hour Service Makes A Difference

CAHOOTS

A crisis response program in Eugene is getting national attention after a Wall Street Journal article came out last month. CAHOOTShas been operating for nearly 30 years. It became a 24 hour / daily service only 2 years ago. 

CAHOOTS, or Crisis Assistance Helping Out in The Streets, responds to people in mental health crises in Eugene and Springfield. Operations Coordinator Tim Black says after the Eugene City Council approved funds to make the service available all day there was an increase in calls. 
“It’s been really helpful knowing that we can tell people that whenever, whenever there’s something that comes up that we’ll be there for them. And it just really made sense that all of the public safety options in Eugene, law enforcement, fire EMS, and CAHOOTs providing that behavioral health first response that we’re there to serve the community regardless of the time of day or night.”
Black says he’s grateful for the national news coverage of CAHOOTS because it increases awareness. Roseburg and Olympia, Washington are among the communities looking to establish similar programs. 
 
Copyright 2018 KLCC

Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.
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