Wisconsin Health News
May 27, 2025

Two counties received state grants to improve law enforcement’s response to mental health crises through telehealth, according to a recent report from the Department of Health Services. 

A 2024 law allowed counties to apply for a share of $2 million in one-time state funding to create programs connecting law enforcement officers assisting individuals in mental health crises with behavioral health professionals.

DHS received one application last summer. Staff encouraged more to apply, netting one additional submission. 

“Several counties indicated to DHS staff that they already established relationships and processes between their county crisis programs and law enforcement partners, leading to a lack of interest in this pilot program funding opportunity,” the report noted. 

Dane and Racine counties received grants running from Oct. 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Because of the short grant period and the pilot nature, both are focusing on program creation, design, equipment purchasing and electronic system implementation. 

Dane received $230,794, while Racine received $250,437. Those figures include a 25 percent match each county had to meet, which they’re doing through personnel salary and staff time. 

Both are ordering equipment and establishing program policies and procedures.