City of Lawrence Launches “Crosswalk to Care” 911 Program

City of Lawrence Launches “Crosswalk to Care” 911 Program

The City of Lawrence has launched Crosswalk to Care, a new partnership with Crosswalk Health that provides residents with faster, more appropriate medical support when calling 911.

Crosswalk to Care is a nurse-led triage system designed to:

- Improve patient outcomes

- Reduce unnecessary emergency room visits

- Keep ambulances and emergency resources available for life-threatening situations

When a 911 call is placed for a medical concern, dispatchers will continue to send an ambulance for urgent or life-threatening emergencies. However, if the situation is determined to be non-emergent, callers may be connected directly with a licensed nurse navigator who can:

- Offer in-depth health guidance

- Arrange a same-day telehealth or in-person appointment

- Connect residents with primary care, mental health, or dental resources

- Provide safe self-care advice at home

- Help arrange transportation if needed

- Follow up within 24 hours to check progress

Mayor Deb Whitfield called the program an essential part of the City’s Live Longer in Lawrence initiative:

“This is about giving people options. We know health concerns don’t always fit neatly into an ‘emergency’ or ‘non-emergency’ box. Crosswalk to Care ensures our residents get the help they need in the moment, while also keeping ambulances available for true emergencies.”

Crosswalk to Care is free to residents. Standard copays or insurance costs may apply if a patient is referred to a clinic or physician, depending on their insurance coverage.

Residents with questions about the program can email hi@crosswalk.health.