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Request to Accept the Police and Mental Health Collaborations for Diversion Programs Grant
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is request that the Town Council accept the Police and Mental Health Collaborations for Diversion Programs Grant to provide a social worker in the Carrboro Police Department.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Chief Chris Atack, 919-918-7407
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
__X_ Race/Equity ____ Climate __X__ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
The Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department submitted this grant to funds efforts to divert those community members facing mental health and/or substance use disorder issues from the criminal justice system and connect them with support services. Demographics and income levels of individuals facing mental health and substance use issues tend to be disparate from the demographics and income levels of the greater community. Please see attached Racial Equity pocket questions for additional information.
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Information
INFORMATION: The Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department applied for a N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) grant in the Summer of 2022 to provide funds for a mental health diversion social worker position in each Orange County law enforcement agency. This position would work to divert people experiencing mental health or substance use issues from the criminal justice system and towards supportive care. The grant was awarded to the County in the Fall of 2022. The Carrboro Police Department wrote a letter of support for the grant and is slated to receive funding for a social worker position along with the other law enforcement agencies in the county - Chapel Hill Police Department, Hillsborough Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office - all of which have accepted, or are expected to accept, the grant.
In 2022, the Carr...
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