BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Whatcom County Health Department has rolled out a new program to address mental health crises.

The Alternative Response Team, or ART, will be sent to non-violent behavioral health incidents.

The team is comprised of behavioral health specialists and nurses.

ART was created in an effort to reduce the number of calls made to law enforcement in cases where an on-scene social worker would be more beneficial.

However, police could still be dispatched in situations where a crime may have been committed or if a situation becomes violent.

ART is funded through several state and city resources, including a grant that funds part of the program for 2023.