Denver, CO
Denver Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) – Denver, CO
November 2022
Denver, CO’s Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program launched on June 1, 2020, with the objective to create a person-centric crisis response program. STAR was formed as part of a partnership among the Denver Police Department, local health agencies, and community stakeholders. It currently deploys emergency response teams that include emergency medical technicians and behavioral health clinicians who provide aid for people experiencing homelessness and crises related to mental health issues, poverty, and substance use, all with the goal of connecting people supports and limiting justice-system involvement.
Last year, as part of the toolkit’s initial launch, the CSG Justice Center conducted video interviews with then-Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen; Chris Richardson, associate director of Criminal Justice Services for the Mental Health Center of Denver; and Carleigh Sailon, former program manager for Criminal Justice Services for the Mental Health Center of Denver.
The following videos outline Denver STAR’s efforts since it began; it follows the sections of the toolkit. Readers can connect to other parts of the toolkit by clicking the headers for more details.
Editor’s note: These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
All interviews are in English.
Community Engagement and Collaboration