E2 - 988: A Shared Opportunity for Diversion, Right Response and Saving Lives

Monday, May 5, 2025

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET

Location: 105AB

Unrestricted Education Sponsor

This interactive session, in partnership with BJA’s Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program and the CSG Justice Center, a panel of behavioral health leaders and law enforcement will discuss the best practice response; programs they have implemented to address the challenges of crisis response; and shared opportunity 988 presents to connect people to care. Panelists will share from cross-systems efforts to implement and knit together health-first responses. The panel will be facilitated by Ernest Stevens, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, at the Justice Center and subject of the Emmy Award–winning documentary Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops.

Learning Objectives:

The participant will have an overview of the 988 Crisis Life Line
The participant will learn how law enforcement is collaborating with 988 call centers.
Participant will take back 5 take aways that law enforcement leaders can to to Advance 988

Breakout Presenter(s)

Ernest B. Stevens

Deputy Division Director for Law Enforcement, Behavioral Health Division
CSG Justice Center
Universal City, Texas
Kendra Queen, MPA

Project Manager, Law Enforcement
The Council of State Governments Justice Center
Asheville, North Carolina
AD

Andrew Dameron

Denver Director of Emergency 911 Communications
Austin Perron, MS

Policy Analyst
The Council of State Governments Justice Center
Phila, Pennsylvania