02/18/2026
Edgewater Health Launches New Mobile Crisis App to Strengthen Field Response, Data Reporting, and Community Care
Gary, IN (February 18, 2026) - After more than five decades of serving the community, Edgewater Health is continuing to lead with innovation through the launch of its new Mobile Crisis App — a tool designed initially for crisis workers responding to behavioral health emergencies in the field.
Built for frontline staff on the organization’s mobile crisis teams, the app helps crisis workers do patient intake, document assessments, coordinate care, connect clients to services, and communicate across systems in real time. The platform supports smoother transitions between field response, the crisis stabilization center, detox treatment services, and ongoing behavioral health care — helping ensure people in crisis receive timely, appropriate support.
A major feature of the app is its robust reporting and data tracking capabilities, designed to streamline required DARMHA reporting (Data Assessment Registry Mental Health and Addiction) – Indiana’s required system for tracking behavioral health services, client data, and outcomes to support accountability and service quality. The system captures detailed, structured information including crisis type (such as su***de risk, serious mental illness, youth mental health concerns, and substance use crises), referral sources including law enforcement and other community partners, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, insurance and payor sources, and additional demographic and service data that help the organization better understand community needs and outcomes.
“This app reflects who we’ve always been — a community partner willing to evolve to meet the moment,” said Dr. Danita Johnson Woods, CEO of Edgewater Health. “The app was built with our crisis workers in mind. They are out in the community every day doing incredibly demanding work. Giving them technology that makes their jobs easier and strengthens care coordination reflects our commitment to innovation and most importantly, to the community— not just for today, but for the next 52 years.”
And now that the app is in play, Woods said the team has already identified additional applications in other core behavioral health services to streamline processes, enhance response times and delivery systems.
“I’ve seen firsthand how important coordination and shared information are when someone is in crisis,” said Derrick Cannon, Chief of the Gary Police Department. “Our officers see the impact of timely behavioral health support every day, and this technology strengthens collaboration, so people receive the right response from trained professionals at the right time.”
“Our goal was to build technology that works the way crisis teams actually work — fast, mobile, and centered on people,” said Michael Labroi, Chief Information Officer at Edgewater Health. “The app gives staff real-time tools in the field while capturing the data we need for state and federal reporting, helping us turn information into better care and smarter decision-making across the system.”
The launch reinforces Edgewater Health’s long-standing mission to evolve alongside the community it serves — blending trusted relationships with forward-thinking solutions that improve access, accountability, and outcomes in integrated behavioral health and primary care.
The Mobile Crisis App is now in use by Edgewater Health’s crisis response staff on both iPhone and Android devices.
About Edgewater Health
Edgewater Health is northwest Indiana’s full-service partner for culturally competent, high-quality primary care and behavioral health services. Our approach to caring for the whole person begins with health screenings and assessments and extends to integrated and specialized care that may include addiction and opioid treatment, inpatient, outpatient, and adult residential services in 10 locations. Edgewater Health originated in 1974 as the Gary Community Mental Health Center and has grown steadily in response to the community’s needs. In 2015, Edgewater Health established the Rapid Access Center, the only one of its kind in the state of Indiana at the time. In 2019, Edgewater Health achieved Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike status under the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). In 2024, the organization expanded its crisis services with the launch of two mobile crisis response teams. In 2026, Edgewater Health launched a school-based health clinic at West Side Leadership Academy in Gary, IN. Edgewater Health is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Visit us at edgewaterhealth.org.
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