The Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Responder Academy’s rigorous training is designed to prepare responders for mental and behavioral health crisis situations, which helps serve the city’s residents.
The ACS Responder Academy recently graduated 13 responders, which include Behavioral Health Responders, Community Responders, Street Outreach and Resource Coordinators and a triage specialist. The addition of these responders expands ACS’s ability to respond to 911 and 311 calls. Since its inception, ACS has handled more than 145,000 calls for service.
“This group represents the heart of what ACS is all about connection, compassion, and trust,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “Their training prepares them to handle complex situations, but it’s their dedication to people that will truly make a difference in our community and public safety system.”
ACS continues to serve as a national model for addressing behavioral health needs, substance use, homelessness, and crisis response through innovative, non-police approaches.
Janice Torrez, Public Safety BIG chair and Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico president, congratulated the city on the program. Torrez said, “The responders are an important part of our public safety system which supports keeping Albuquerque safer for businesses and families.”