Join national leaders in Chicago for two days of panels and conversation focused on “Establishing Permanence”— ensuring that alternative response becomes a recognized profession and a durable part of public safety systems. These programs are no longer “alternative”, they are becoming integral components of the public safety and wellness infrastructure.
Historically, 911 systems dispatch police to all types of emergencies—mental health crises, wellness checks, disputes—regardless of whether police are the best-equipped responders. Alternative response programs take a different approach, sending unarmed professionals like clinicians, peer responders, or mediators to appropriate calls. These programs are growing rapidly, but the work still lacks the structure and visibility of a true field.
That’s why this convening matters. Just like doctors, lawyers, police officers, and every other profession, practitioners in this field need infrastructure: standards, support systems, and a strong network. They need a professional identity, and they need a regular space to connect, reflect, and grow together. And they need a name (ideally, without a transient descriptor like “alternative”) that reflects their permanence in the public safety ecosystem.
Our vision is for this convening to become that space. A yearly gathering where people say “see you next year,” because they know that the professional infrastructure will be there to support them in this important work.
We ask that you limit attendees to three people per organization.
Early Registration: December 8 – January 22, $450 (EXTENDED DEADLINE!)
Regular Registration: January 23 – May 15, $500
Late Registration: May 16 – June 1, $550
2026 Alternative Response Convening
In 2023 and 2025, CICS, the NYU Policing Project, and AMSA brought together leaders from across the country for the Alternative Response Convening—a dynamic gathering of practitioners, policymakers, advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience who are shaping the future of crisis response.
The convening is a space for collective learning, innovation, and strategy. Participants share real-world challenges and successes, explore emerging models, and build relationships that strengthen the national movement toward care-based responses. From city teams launching new programs to grassroots leaders holding systems accountable, the convening centers voices driving change on the ground.
Through panels, workshops, and storytelling sessions, we focus on what’s working, what’s needed, and how to build and sustain alternatives that truly keep people safe—without relying on law enforcement as the first or only response.
Together, we’re creating a shared vision for a more just, responsive, and community-rooted approach to crisis.