Collaborate Crisis Response Training Program

Salisbury Police Department has recognized the need to view and respond to mental health related calls for service in a way that creates a safe operating environment for the officer while adding value to and aiding the mental health consumer.  In consideration of demands from the community to become more effective in handling calls for service involving someone with mental health issues, we are seeking to improve understanding and delivery of services. 

If approved to apply for this grant we intend to create a model operation to include training both police and mental health providers on how-to co-respond and integrate services (police officer and social worker) program which would be the first of its kind in our region.  We intend to present the following: an identified problem; support from mental health provider partners; operational process including linking consumers to appropriate services and monitoring outcomes; improved de-escalation procedures; educational need; feedback and analysis process; and reporting mechanisms. 
The funding, if approved, would be used to hire a credentialed social worker within the mental health field on a contractual basis to respond to calls for service alongside police officers for a year.  The application of $100,000 in salary support for training program initiative.