DC RESOURCE ALERT | About the 24/7 Community Response Team

The following information is courtesy of the DC Department of Behavioral Health website. The Advo8te recommends utilizing this resource particularly when you observe homeless individuals who may be in need of psychiatric support. The CRT team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Save their number in your phone now so you have it on hand when you see someone in need of help.

The DBH Community Response Team (CRT), is a 24-7 multidisciplinary direct service team that expands our community-based direct service efforts—including homeless outreach, mobile crisis, and pre-arrest diversion. Our CRT supports adults who are experiencing emotional, psychiatric or substance use vulnerabilities to promote service engagement and overall behavioral health and wellness.

These supports are provided through assessment, referral, short-term care management, and follow-up for individuals across the District. CRT also provides community education, individual and neighborhood outreach, behavioral health consultation, short-term support for critical incidents, in addition to co-response and intervention support for our partner agencies and community organizations.

Teams of behavioral health specialists, licensed clinicians and peers in recovery have an ongoing presence in communities to: 

  • Conduct on-the-spot assessment and referral to behavioral health care.

  • Engage regularly individuals living with unmet needs to encourage treatment.

  • Connect to support services including employment, education and economic benefit programs.

  • Offer harm reduction options such as life-saving naloxone while promoting treatment.

  • Support diversion from the criminal justice system for low level behavioral health related offenses.

The Community Response Team offers 24-hour services to communities experiencing psychiatric emergencies, trauma, or show signs of mental health and substance use disorders. 

To reach the Community Response Team any time call 202-673-6495 or visit:

35 K Street, NE 
Washington, DC 20002  

RESOURCESThe Advoc8teDEPT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHComment