URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Urbana Police Department announced the official launch of its new live-response model for its Crisis Co-Response Team (CCRT), which will begin on Monday, August 18.

This next phase builds on a pilot program that has been operating in Urbana, providing follow-up care and outreach for individuals in a mental health crisis.

With the new model, the CCRT will now respond in real time during weekday hours, offering on-scene support, stabilization, and connection to services. The team pairs Behavior Health Detective Antwan Funches, who has work experience both as a police officer and as a qualified mental health professional with an embedded clinician from Rosecrance, a trusted behavioral health provider in the region. Both of these experiences combined bring a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach to crisis response, focused on safety, dignity, and reducing unnecessary emergency room visits or arrests.

“The strength of this program is in the partnership,” Deputy Chief Zachery Mikalik said. “When
an officer with mental health expertise and a licensed clinician arrive together, residents in crisis
are met with calm, care, and a plan.”

To help support a softer, more approachable first impression, the CCRT will respond in a dedicated vehicle with unique identifiers and attire that is visibly different from standard police uniforms. This launch reflects the Urbana Police Department’s ongoing commitment to collaborative, community-based public safety.

“We’re not just responding to crises,” said Funches. “We’re showing up in a way that
builds trust, and hopefully opens a door to long-term support.”