The Cookeville Police and Fire Departments, in partnership with NAMI Tennessee and Volunteer Behavioral Health Services, are launching the Cookeville Community Response (CCR) program, as part of the Connect and Protect Initiative. The program aims to address mental health crises with informed care and specialized support for individuals and families, providing a compassionate alternative to traditional law enforcement response.
Designed to offer effective, safe interactions, the CCR program focuses on providing a collaborative response to the mental health needs of people in Cookeville and involves direct triaging of crisis calls through the Cookeville police non-emergency number. This collaboration allows Cookeville Police Department’s dispatch team to determine if an incident requires a law enforcement officer or the CCR team, enhancing the approach to behavioral health support and ensuring resources are best aligned with community needs.
The CCR team will include a Volunteer Behavioral Health mental health clinician and a certified EMT from the Cookeville Fire Department, offering on-site crisis intervention and connection to behavioral health, healthcare and social service resources.
Katrina Gay, Executive Director of NAMI Tennessee, praised the collaborative approach: “The CCR program marks a vital step forward in how we respond to mental health crises in Cookeville. By engaging mental health professionals and EMTs in these incidents, we aim to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis and strengthen the community as a whole. Together, we’re creating pathways to recovery and support instead of further escalation.”
The CCR model is expected to reduce strain on law enforcement by ensuring mental health professionals and first responders take the lead in situations where their expertise is best suited to de-escalate and assist. As part of the program, individuals in crisis will be linked to behavioral health and social services for ongoing support, enabling long-term assistance and recovery within the community.
"The City of Cookeville is pleased to see this program come to fruition,” said Cookeville City Manager James Mills. ‘For several years, we have explored methods to better serve a portion of our population that frequently needs assistance which is best provided by mental health professionals. We are especially thankful to the personnel in our Police and Fire Departments who have worked diligently to make this program a reality."
Added Cookeville Fire Chief Benton Young: "We started the soft launch of the program over a month ago and it has been productive, allowing time to refine operations based on feedback from the CCR team. With those initial challenges addressed, we are now ready to move forward confidently. The CCR teams' role in supporting individuals to access necessary treatment and resources is the key to the success of the program. I hope anyone that needs this service the City Of Cookeville is now providing will not hesitate to utilize them."
Chief Randy Evans of the Cookeville Police Department highlighted the value of the CCR program for community safety: “This initiative brings a much-needed layer of compassion and expertise to our response model. By working closely with NAMI Tennessee, the Cookeville Fire Department, and Volunteer Behavioral Health, we’re making sure those in crisis get specialized care when they need it most. This partnership will allow our officers to focus on public safety while connecting people with the right resources for recovery.”
About NAMI Tennessee
-NAMI Tennessee, the state organization of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by mental illness and their families. Through education, support, and advocacy, NAMI Tennessee works to eliminate stigma and create a future where all people affected by mental health conditions can experience hope, recovery, and wellness.