What is Outreach, Assessment, Resources and Response (OARR) Team Response?
Case Western Reserve’s Division of Public Safety and University Health and Counseling Services have collaborated to create the Outreach, Assessments, Resources and Response (OARR) co-responder team—a licensed clinician and police officer, both of whom are crisis intervention team-trained (CIT), who can respond to mental health-related calls to provide quality mental health crisis assistance to members of the campus community.
In this pilot program, the co-responder team aims to provide holistic support and reduce additional stressors as much as possible when someone is experiencing a mental-health crisis. The co-responders can provide response, support and appropriate next steps—whether that’s scheduling students for a same-day appointment with University Health and Counseling Services, providing faculty and staff or non-affiliated community members with resources, or coordinating transport to a hospital for a higher level of care.
Through the OARR co-response pilot program, Case Western Reserve aims to:
- Improve the quality of clinical services to someone in crisis
- Assist individuals in crisis efficiently while also demonstrating dignity and respect
- Improve access to care and reduce timely emergency department waits
- Reduce hospitalizations or incarcerations by linking to appropriate care in response to the need of the individual
- Provide an avenue to follow-up care after the crisis is resolved
Meet the members of the OARR Team
Co-Response Team Members: Gwen Austin, LPC #188 and Officer Omar Troche #131
How it Works?
The co-responder team is a pilot program so is not available 24/7. However, if you or an individual you know are experiencing an emergency that could benefit from the OARR co-responder team, call the Case Western Reserve University Police Department’s emergency number at 216.368.3333 and let them know you are calling about a mental health crisis. If the OARR team is available, they will be dispatched to the call. (You can make this call anonymously, if desired.)
For any issues that are concerning, but not emergencies, call 216.368.3300 (campus non-emergency line).