Connect and Protect Grant: Georgia Pines Community Service Board Co-Responder Program

Georgia Pines Community Service Board, in partnership with the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office and the Thomasville Police Department, is seeking funds to launch a law enforcement/mental health Co-Responder program to serve Thomas County. The purpose of the program would be to assist law enforcement by making available behavioral health specialists to assist with real-time responses to community crises involving individuals with severe mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. On a dispatch, specific examples of clinician activities include assisting individuals who are experiencing domestic violence or trauma, counseling children whose parents may be arrested, and providing quality interventions (or linking into appropriate services) for mental health issues, addiction, suicidal behaviors, and homelessness. We expect the clinicians to be devoted to 4-8 calls per day in addition to helping with transportation, wrap-around services, and follow-ups. Georgia Pines has not received prior JMHCP or Connect and Protect grant funds.