CARES Achieves 10,000 Calls for Service

The Madison Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) program responded to its 10,000th call for service last week, a milestone that further cements the program’s place as a valued service in our community. The 10,000th response was achieved on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

CARES specializes in responding to non-violent behavioral health emergencies that previously would have been dispatched to law enforcement and/or EMS. CARES teams are comprised of one Madison Fire Department Community Paramedic partnered with one Journey Mental Health Crisis Worker. Each team has completed extensive training in crisis intervention, cultural competency, de-escalation, suicide prevention and risk assessment, trauma-informed care, and more.

Since its inception in September 2021, CARES has been warmly embraced by the community and recognized for its effectiveness in connecting people with appropriate mental health resources while diverting individuals from emergency rooms and jails.

As the program has grown through the expansion of service hours and the addition of more teams, CARES’ response capacity has increased exponentially. Greater public awareness about the availability and benefits of CARES has also contributed to higher engagement with the service.

The CARES program expanded service to Sun Prairie in February 2025 as part of a one-year pilot and has responded to 38 calls in the City of Sun Prairie.

In addition to responding to 911 calls, the CARES teams spend considerable time building relationships throughout the community at local resource centers, shelters, and mental health care facilities. Between active calls for service, the teams also follow up with their patients to ensure they have been connected with the services they need.

Three CARES teams respond to calls on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and one CARES team responds on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Learn more about CARES.