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 by Dr. Sarah Abbott, a pioneer in the Co-Response field, the organization assists communities in developing, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based crisis response programs that enhance safety, reduce unnecessary arrests and emergency visits, and yield better outcomes for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
A Proven Model for Crisis Response
When someone is going through a behavioral health crisis, law enforcement is often the first to respond. However, officers rarely have access to on-site clinical expertise, which creates significant gaps in safety, communication, and decision-making regarding disposition.
In 2003, Dr. Sarah Abbott became the first social worker in Massachusetts to embed in patrol, riding with officers on every call for service. Working in partnership with the Framingham Police Department, she led the state’s first Co-Response program, transforming how law enforcement and behavioral health systems work in tandem during crisis calls.
Over the last two decades, Dr. Abbott has replicated and refined this model in more than 50 law enforcement agencies, building trusted partnerships that enhance safety for officers, clinicians, and the community.
Leadership That Sets the Standard
Dr. Abbott is a nationally recognized expert known for:
Launching and scaling Co-Response programs across the U.S. and internationally.
Developing widely utilized training programs for crisis response.
Providing technical assistance to police, universities, state agencies, and behavioral health providers and systems.
Publishing academic research and technical guidance on crisis response.
Presenting nationally and internationally on the intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health.
Leading data-driven evaluation projects that demonstrate improved outcomes.
Dr. Abbott’s work has been recognized in local, state, national, and international media, and she has received multiple awards for innovation and leadership in the field of Co-Response. Dr. Abbott serves on the Board of Directors of the International Co-Responder Alliance (ICRA) and South Middlesex Opportunities Council (SMOC).
