TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Police Department renamed its Quick Response Team to the RESILIENCE Program on Feb. 10, 2026. The initiative serves vulnerable individuals at high risk of overdose and involvement in the justice system.
The rebranding follows a 2024 University of Michigan evaluation that found a significant reduction in negative law enforcement contacts for participants. The department chose the new name to clarify the program’s mission and address confusion identified by partner agencies and participants during the evaluation process.
The University of Michigan conducted an evaluation of the program in 2024 as part of the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Use Program grant. The study found a statistically significant reduction in negative law enforcement contacts for those participating in the program. Researchers also conducted 26 interviews with partner agencies and participants.
These interviews identified confusion regarding the goals and name of the Quick Response Team, which is a nationally branded overdose response model. Department officials sought a new name to better reflect a non-traditional approach to addressing co-occurring substance use, mental health crises and homelessness in Traverse City.
While the name and logo have changed, the program’s design remains the same. The initiative will remain voluntary and maintain its original eligibility requirements. The role of the Police Support Services Worker also remains unchanged, though the department expects more robust follow-up and outcome reporting under the new brand.
The program aims to reduce repeat law enforcement contacts, overdose deaths and service fragmentation. Police officials stated that the program is designed to strengthen the abilities people already possess by reducing barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for those referred to the service.
For more information on the RESILIENCE Program, the Traverse City Police Department has established a dedicated website at https://www.traversecitymi.gov/resilience.html.