Leadership
About Abbott Solutions for Justice
Abbott Solutions for Justice is a national leader in enhancing crisis response through improved collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health.
Founded in 2000 by Dr. Sarah Abbott, a pioneer in the Co-Response field, the organization assists communities in developing, implementing, evaluating and sustaining evidence-informed crisis response programs that enhance safety, reduce unnecessary arrests and emergency department visits, and improve outcomes for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
Leadership That Sets the Standard
Dr. Abbott is a nationally recognized expert known for:
Launching and scaling Co-Response programs across the United States and internationally.
Developing widely used training programs for crisis response.
Providing technical assistance to police departments, universities, state agencies, and behavioral health providers and systems.
Publishing academic research and technical guidance on crisis response.
Presenting at national and international conferences on the intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health.
Leading data-driven evaluation projects that demonstrate improved outcomes.
Dr. Abbott’s work has been featured in local, state, national, and international media, and she has received multiple awards for innovation and leadership in the field of Co-Response. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the International Co-Responder Alliance (ICRA) and the South Middlesex Opportunities Council (SMOC).
A Proven Model for Crisis Response
When individuals face a behavioral health crisis, law enforcement is often the first to respond. However, officers typically lack access to on-site clinical expertise, leading to significant gaps in safety, communication, and decision-making regarding a person’s care.
In 2003, Dr. Sarah Abbott became the first social worker in Massachusetts to embed with patrol officers, accompanying them on every call for service. In collaboration with the Framingham Police Department, she launched the state's first Co-Response program, which transformed the relationship between law enforcement and behavioral health systems during crisis situations.
Over the past 23 years, Dr. Abbott has replicated and refined this model locally, nationally, and internationally. Working with more than 50 law enforcement agencies, she has fostered trusted partnerships that enhance safety for officers, clinicians, and the community as a whole.