Alternative response programs can benefit families on the brink of severe struggles. Unlike a traditional investigative approach by CPS, Alternative Response (AP) tries to assist families in a more tailored, specific way. But what is the Alternative Response Program’s role in crisis de-escalation?
Alternative Response Programs take an active role in crisis de-escalation. This means that for families who may be experiencing some crisis: financial, psychological, behavioral, or medical, the caseworkers for AP teams can provide assistance that meets the needs of the family without being too intrusive or threatening.
Let’s talk about some of the roles Alternative Response programs take with a family in crisis, and some methods they use to help bring that family back to a safe place.
The Role of Alternative Response vs. The Traditional Investigative Pathway
Traditionally, any allegation of child mistreatment would receive a full investigation by CPS. While this is an approach that makes sense for allegations of moderate to severe child abuse, a new method was developed for cases where there may only be low-level allegations (or those where the child’s situation is not believed to be dire).
With all that being said, how does an Alternative Response program respond to a crisis? The following sections will discuss how these programs operate and some services they may provide to these patients. The goal is to protect children while maintaining the family structure and allowing parents to improve their lives.
Alternative Response programs work off the premise that families are best kept together and that, given the chance, parents want to provide well for their children. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but the alternative response pathways seek to be a positive force rather than a negative one.
Alternative response programs help de-escalation in these ways:
- Trained Responders in Crisis
- Non-Police Response
- Mental Health Professionals
- Medical Screenings
- Close Coordination with Law Enforcement
- Providing Transport to Definitive Care and Avoiding Jail
Below, you’ll find more details about alternative response programs. Keep in mind that not every solution is right for every situation. The goal is to protect families and protect children.
Alternative Response Programs De-escalate with Trained Responders in Crisis
When a family experiences a crisis, they must receive the care they need. While ambulance services, fire departments, and law enforcement are trained on a wide range of general situations, they are not always trained explicitly to deal with crises related to behavioral issues.
This is no fault of their own. Departments don’t typically have the resources to give everyone training related to all incidents and situations; however, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t provide some people with that level of training. Those who have specific training are the ones who will respond to crisis situations.
This includes Alternative Response teams. Caseworkers may be present to assist in any way they can, working with other professionals to deliver the care that the person requires. For example, it could be that a parent experienced an overdose, and now there is some question about what will happen to the child.
In a case like this, the medical and rehab staff may work with the parent, while the caseworker for the AP team will work with the child. Likewise, suppose a caseworker with an AP program were to respond to a family where a parent was not able to care for themselves or their child due to a substance addiction. In that case, they may contact other professionals to help the parent.
This is in contrast to the traditional methodology, where the parent would immediately come under investigation, with the only goal being to complete a report on whether there was mistreatment of the child. While determining mistreatment is essential, the Alternative Response programs worry less about “reaching a verdict” and more about getting that family the help they need.
The overall goal is to keep the family together if possible and to carefully and respectfully set up safety nets for the children involved.
De-Escalate via Non-Police Response
Part of the Alternative Response program is reducing the pressure from the legal system on the family. The idea is not to threaten the family to fix their problems, but to uncover the underlying causes and offer a solution.
For example, suppose a parent were to have a behavioral crisis. In that case, the caseworker with the Alternative Response team may call for specially trained professionals to de-escalate the situation, rather than immediately calling for a police response and opening a criminal investigation into the behavior.
Of course, responders always should play it safe; however, in recent years, it has become more common for responders (specially trained) to look at situations in more detail and try to decide who needs a police response rather than send PD to everything.
In this way, Alternative Response caseworkers can help families achieve safety and balance without the stress that may be incited by a response from police for every situation.
Some Programs Even Use Mental Health Professionals
With alternative response programs and their role in crisis de-escalation, they often deal with a family who may have significant hardship. One of these hardships will include mental health struggles. In these cases, the parents of young children may not be able to cope with their issues, making it very difficult for them to meet the needs of their children.
Alternative Response caseworkers may refer their clients to a mental health professional, one who can help them cope with some of the struggles they’ve been having and give them a pathway to freedom.
The mental health response may include a professional coming directly into their home, as is commonly done with a co-responder program. Or the person may be referred to a facility where they can receive further treatment for their mental health condition.
A system like this works because it gives people the ability to find freedom without the threat of an investigation – it also doesn’t overlook the fact that many of these families have mental health struggles. If these issues can be alleviated, it will lead to a better environment for the entire family.
Now let’s talk about medical screenings.
De-Escelation with Medical Screenings
Families in crisis may have unknown medical problems. The alternative response team can refer their patients for medical care in these cases. Medical treatment will help determine if there was a physiological reason for the behavioral crisis.
Also, medical treatment can reduce the burden of care on the family and provide education about the proper care of children. It’s unfortunate when someone is diagnosed with a behavior issue that could have been corrected with appropriate medical care.
Good medical care (and improved overall health) also leads to a better mood and a more positive outlook on life, which may reverse a negative trend after a crisis.
Medical screenings for clients are something that caseworkers for Alternative Response programs may recommend, and are certainly something that should be part of any crisis de-escalation.
Maintaining Close Coordination with Law Enforcement
We discussed reducing the role of law enforcement in crisis response; however, alternative response programs do not seek to eliminate law enforcement’s involvement entirely. On the contrary, it’s all about helping LE fit into the right place.
During a crisis situation, Alternative Response Programs may call in law enforcement if the individual’s behavior appears to be beyond de-escalation by other means. Sometimes, law enforcement providers will stage nearby. In this case, they are not creating a direct presence (which may cause anxiety and escalate the situation), but they are there if needed.
Alternative Response Programs De-escalate by Providing Definitive Care to Avoid Jail
Suppose an Alternative Response is issued for a person who may be suspected of mild child neglect or maltreatment. In that case, the goal is not to investigate and figure out if the person needs to go to jail (though, of course, if the maltreatment is severe enough, this may be required); rather, the goal is to intervene so that the family does not go down that pathway.
Ultimately, we don’t want the person within the program to progress to a point where they may cause more harm to themselves or others. The goal is to prevent jail time and improve the lives of families via holistic means.
Conclusion: How Alternative Response Programs Work to De-escalate People in Crisis
Instead of investigations for punishment, alternative response programs and their role in crisis de-escalation by providing pathways to healing. There are situations where police and legal action must be taken to protect the vulnerable. Still, there are also many cases where a more nuanced approach is needed.
Contact Julota to learn how their platform can connect Alternative Response Programs with those in need and provide more freedom for their families and safety for their children.