CAHOOTS navigates local cuts

CAHOOTS, the Lane County program that’s been a model for mobile crisis services around the country, has been facing challenges at the local and federal level.    Services in Eugene came to an end earlier this year as the city managed a budget shortfall.   Lane County offers crisis services that are funded through Medicaid, but CAHOOTS also specialized in homeless and community outreach.  While CAHOOTS is no longer serving Eugene, its contract with Springfield has been renewed. It currently offers 12 hours of service, seven days a week to the city. Justin Madeira is the CAHOOTS program coordinator. He joins us with details about what’s next for the organization and what crisis response efforts look like in Oregon.