The Crisis Intervention Social Worker (CISW) follows the Co-responder Team Model, which is a model for crisis response that pairs trained officers with mental health professionals to respond to incidents involving individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 

The Crisis Intervention Social Worker responds to both mental health crises and mental health emergencies. A mental health crisis is defined as an individual's inability to cope with or adjust to everyday life stressors and is typically non-life threatening. A mental health emergency is defined as a life-threatening situation in which an individual is threatening immediate harm to themselves or others and is severely disoriented or out of touch with reality.

If a mental health crisis or mental health emergency is taking place, a 911 call should be made. Calling 911 puts you in touch with the Maplewood dispatch line; a dispatcher will determine the appropriate response to each individual situation as it is called in.

An officer or officers will respond to the scene to assess for safety and obtain more information for clarity. If additional services such as Fire or EMT are needed, the South Essex Fire Department will also respond to the scene. If the officers who have been dispatched find themselves on a call that requires social services, they will notify either the Watch Commander or Dispatch to activate the Crisis Intervention Social Worker. If an incident is within the working hours of the Crisis Intervention Social Worker, the Crisis Intervention Social Worker will respond after the scene has been deemed safe and clear.

If the Crisis Intervention Social Worker is not on call when a mental health crisis or emergency occurs, follow-up services will be provided. Please note that for safety purposes a Maplewood Police Officer will be present with the Crisis Intervention Social Worker at the time of any home visit.

The Crisis Intervention Social Worker also responds to crisis calls from individuals who self-refer.

Community members who are concerned about an individual or a neighbor should refrain from contacting the Crisis Intervention Social Worker directly, and should instead call 911.