Clair Uding

University of Wyoming Associate Professor Clair Uding, of the Department of Criminal
Justice and Sociology, has received a grant for $649,464 from the National Institute
of Justice (NIJ) for her research on police response to mental health crises.

Her project, titled “Research and Evaluation on Policing Practices, Accountability
Mechanisms and Alternatives,” aims to explore a program in Fort Collins, Colo., where
both the police and mental health professionals respond to situations involving people
in mental health crises.

“This is an extremely impressive achievement and the first National Institute of Justice
grant for our Criminal Justice Program,” says Eric Wodahl, head of the UW Department
of Criminal Justice and Sociology.

Uding notes that the approach being taken in Fort Collins is becoming more popular,
but it’s still unclear how it affects arrests, use of force and whether people receive
treatment.

“I’m very excited to pursue this project,” she says. “Fort Collins’ Mental Health
Response Team, which sends police officers and licensed clinicians to respond to mental
health calls, has been growing since 2018. This is a great opportunity to evaluate
the program and see the impact it is having on individuals’ lives by trying to connect
people to treatment and services.”

Her project will have two parts. First, she will study what happens after the call,
comparing the results when the Mental Health Response Team responds with calls when
only the police respond. She will explore factors including what they do, how long
they take and whether they use force.

The second part will evaluate what happens over a longer period. She will compare
the long-term outcomes of those who get help from the Mental Health Response Team
with those who get help from the police.

“This can help inform police agencies nationwide who have existing or are considering
adopting co-responder programs in their own communities,” she says.

Uding came to UW in 2018, was promoted to associate professor this year and received
a Provost’s Term Professorship in 2022. She also is a member of the Albany County
Mental Health Board.

For more information about her research, email Uding at [email protected].

To learn more about UW’s Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, visit www.uwyo.edu/as/departments.