TOGETHER, THE BETHLEHEM HEALTH BUREAU AND BETHLEHEM POLICE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED THE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO BETTER SERVE RESIDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND OTHER UNMET SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS. THE FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE COPS OFFICE FY22 COMMUNITY POLICING DEVELOPMENT (CPD) PROGRAM WILL BE UTILIZED TO EXPAND THE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM BY HIRING ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO ASSIST WITH THE DEMAND. THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM PLANS TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR THE FOLLOWING: MORE TIME SPENT CO-RESPONDING OUT IN THE FIELD IMMEDIATELY WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, OFFER RESPONSIVE SERVICES AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS, CONDUCT HOME VISITS WITH THOSE WHO CANNOT BE REACHED BY PHONE AND PROACTIVELY WORK IN TANDEM WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE FIELD TO SHOW A PRESENCE IN AREAS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, OVERDOSES, ETC.