City of Lynn receives $410K Congressional Directives grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Lynn calm team - the lynn calm team (lct) will expand its unarmed, care-oriented response program for all lynn residents, with services prioritized according to behavioral health, crisis, and access needs, including mental health or substance use challenges, homelessness, social isolation, health concerns, unmet basic needs, and language or disability-related barriers. Staff with lived experience will provide trauma-informed de-escalation, crisis prevention, conflict resolution, mental health first aid, resource navigation, transportation and safety support, and connections to food, shelter, safe spaces, and other services. Residents may request assistance through a designated dispatch line, while team members will maintain a visible, proactive presence in parks and other community spaces to address emerging nonviolent behavioral health and public safety concerns before they escalate. Since june 2025, lct has completed more than 1,200 community interactions, and more than 54% of calls involved public health and safety concerns. The project will hire a community engagement specialist to assist with calls and increase community presence and a social services navigator to provide support beyond the initial contact. Lct aims to reach 1,500 individuals annually, reduce reliance on emergency departments and law enforcement, and decrease recidivism.