New jersey announces $12 million funding for community crisis response teams

TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced today a new funding initiative providing up to $12 million for the establishment of Community Crisis Response Teams (CCRTs) across New Jersey.

The CCRT Pilot Program, spurred by the Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act, will allow municipalities and community-based organizations in six counties to apply for up to $2 million each through a competitive grant process. This legislation was created in memory of Najee Seabrooks and Andrew Washington, who tragically lost their lives in police encounters during mental health crises. Eligible counties include Camden, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, and Passaic.

Governor Murphy highlighted the vital role of CCRTs in enhancing the continuum of care for individuals in mental distress, aligning with New Jersey’s broader public safety strategies. These teams will complement existing programs like ARRIVE Together, which serves half of New Jersey’s population, and various violence intervention programs that contribute to statewide prevention efforts.

Attorney General Platkin emphasized the potential of CCRTs to save lives by integrating community-led, trauma-informed services into New Jersey’s public safety infrastructure. The teams will focus on expert interventions, stabilization support, and resource linkage, tailored to the individual needs of community members.

Director Tiffany Wilson of the Office of Alternative and Community Responses added that the introduction of CCRTs represents a shift towards innovative, community-centric public safety solutions. This initiative will further diversify the available response options, improving public safety and health outcomes while reducing the burden on traditional law enforcement and emergency services.

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