A logic model for alternative response programs to guide public health research and practice

Policing and incarceration in the United States are well-documented drivers of health inequities, disproportionately harming marginalized communities. Alternative response programs—unarmed, non-police response—are promising public health strategies to reduce these harms. This study presents the development of a logic model to guide the design and evaluation of such programs. Through semi-structured interviews with 11 staff members across six independent alternative response programs and a focus group with seven expert practitioners and scholars, we identified pathways by which these programs can influence health outcomes: connecting residents to services, providing direct care, de-escalating conflict, and reducing involvement in the criminal legal system. The final logic model highlights program inputs (e.g., trained staff, funding, partnerships), outputs (e.g., care-based responses, community outreach), and outcomes that range from short-term (reduced arrests, increased service access) to long-term (improved individual and community health). By viewing alternative response programs as public health efforts focused on care and equity, this work offers a useful tool for guiding research, practice, and policy. The logic model connects program actions to health outcomes, helping to evaluate their impact. This logic model can be an anchor for investing in community-based approaches that improve health and safety without causing further harm.