MILTON, Ga. — Milton Fire and Police departments have partnered to launch a Co-Response Mental Health Unit to give residents care, support and resources.
The Co-Response Mental Health Unit is an appointment or referral-based program, which will not require additional funding, according to a Jan. 8 statement issued by the city.
Specially trained firefighters and officers will aid residents who have had past mental health incidents at a time when more agencies nationwide are focusing on such challenges.
A member of the Fire Community Advocates for Referral Education Services team, which consists of full-time paramedic Derek Hofmann and four part-time paramedics, will visit the patient along with a specially trained police officer.
Police officers completed a 5-day, 40-hour Georgia Crisis Intervention Team training course to learn how to assist those with mental illness, substance abuse issues and developmental disorders.
“The idea is that these regular follow-ups will help the patient progress toward better mental health,” Communications Director Greg Botelho wrote. “A development that should help them and their families while saving time, money, and potentially lives in the long run.”
The new unit will also support people with a history of overdoses or who have made suicide attempts or threats.
Officers and firefighters plan to visit patients once a month until their services are no longer beneficial, or they have directed the individual to a medical provider.
Milton Police and Fire departments determine on a case-by-case basis if someone is a sensible fit for the program, the city said.
If you have questions about this program, email Milton Fire CARES Coordinator Derek Hofmann at [email protected] or Milton Police Community Outreach Officer Logan Pacheco at [email protected].
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