The Traverse City Police Department has rebranded its Quick Response Team (QRT), which serves vulnerable people at high risk of overdose and justice system involvement, to the RESILIENCE Program.

According to a TCPD release, the University of Michigan completed an evaluation of the QRT in 2024 as part of a Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program grant. "The evaluation found a statistically significant reduction in negative law enforcement contacts for program participants," according to the release. "In addition, twenty-six interviews with QRT partner agencies and participants identified confusion about the program’s goals and name. Based on this feedback, TCPD sought a name that better reflects the program’s comprehensive work."

While QRT is a "nationally branded overdose response model," the release states, TCPD’s program was "intentionally designed as a non-traditional approach to address the high prevalence of co-occurring substance use, mental health crises, and homelessness in Traverse City. With the rebrand, the community can expect a new name and logo, a clearer mission statement, and more robust Police Support Services Worker (PSW) follow-up and outcome reporting."

The RESILIENCE Program’s mission is to "cultivate individual and community resilience by providing resources to empower, support, and improve the lives of individuals engaging in a network of collaborative enrichment," according to the release.

The program design will remain the same as the QRT, including remaining voluntary with the same eligibility requirements and the PSW role unchanged. "The program will continue to reduce repeat law enforcement contacts, overdose deaths, service fragmentation, and barriers within local service systems while increasing participant engagement," the release states.