McHenry County Sheriff’s Office creates county-wide Police Social Work program
On Nov. 9, Chalen Daigle, McHenry County Government’s coordinator, announced that the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with local governments to create a police social work program for police departments county-wide.
“The Sheriff’s Office created a police social work program in 2017 in an effort to alleviate law enforcement’s responses to mental health-related calls for service. The Police Social Work program developed into a successful collaboration between law enforcement and direct service providers,” said Daigle.
McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim says he looks forward to this new cooperative program benefiting the entire county.
“Too often, law enforcement is the first contact for people in need of mental health services—people who need help,” said Prim. “Our Police Social Work program has been an ongoing success story, and we want to see it continue. By bridging the gap between law enforcement, citizens, and mental health resources, we can help keep residents healthy and out of the criminal justice system. I’m very eager to see this program implemented at police departments across McHenry County.”
Daigle explained that the program will consist of several police social workers who will support participating police departments during mental health-related calls.
Social workers will connect residents to resources, such as direct social service providers, and conduct follow-ups with cases and clients.
In addition, an on-call police social worker will be available to assist officers, 24 hours a day, for a phone consultation or direct response when major mental health crises arise.
Police social workers will be supervised by a clinical supervisor and program director, while the program will be managed by an advisory council, according to Daigle.
“The program will help forge deep and dependable relationships among the community, care providers, police, and other agencies,” said Daigle. “The agreement will be the latest in an ongoing effort to share services and foster closer partnerships among McHenry County’s governments.”
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office anticipates bringing a strong and consistent response to individuals of all demographics through the collaboration of county law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, and organizations.
A temporary incubator space will be used within The Community Foundation for McHenry County Philanthropy Center located at 33 E Woodstock Street in Crystal Lake.
This space will be used for program development, training, and administrative office space.
“Bringing together local police departments and the Sheriff’s Office for such an important program is groundbreaking for McHenry County residents,” Daigle said. “The Police Social Work program is a shining example of collaboration between government agencies in McHenry County. I’m excited to see the program grow and benefit our residents and law enforcement.”
All McHenry County police departments are offered the opportunity to participate in the program. Funding will come from participating police departments, the County Board, and the Mental Health Board.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest among local police agencies to be able to help facilitate positive outcomes when it comes to mental health-related police calls,” said McHenry County Board Chairman Mike Buehler (R-Crystal Lake). “This program will not only connect people needing mental health assistance with McHenry County’s deep network of social service agencies but also will strengthen the bonds between the public and the men and women of law enforcement.”
According to an article written by the American Psychological Association, it is estimated that at least 20% of police calls for service involve a mental health or substance use crisis, and for many police departments, that demand is growing.
“Police officers, behavioral health providers, and community stakeholders face challenges in determining and implementing the proper ways to intervene during [a] behavioral health crisis,” according to Mental Health America. “Unfortunately, as a result, interactions with people with mental illness in crisis often result in actions that significantly hurt recovery. For example, in 2016, a quarter of all fatal police shootings nationwide involved people with behavioral health or substance use conditions,”
The Huntley Police Department already contracts with a social service professional so officers can make a referral for residents to get additional help and resources after the law enforcement interaction is complete.
“Many of our officers are on the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), a program that helps us respond appropriately to incidents that involve persons who suffer from mental illness, who may be in crisis, are in need of assistance and facilitating access to that assistance,” the Huntley Police Department wrote on their Facebook page. “We also have a number of policies and regular training for all staff on mental health, with the goal of providing the best service and meeting the needs of the entire community while maintaining a safe and friendly village.”
