The buncombe county sheriff's office (bcso) will use FY24 pact funding to enhance its CO-responder program

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) received a $400,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program (CFDA 16.710) to enhance its co-responder program. The program aims to provide timely and effective responses to behavioral health crises by integrating additional behavioral health clinicians into crisis response teams, alongside law enforcement and paramedics. Key activities include expanding operational hours, increasing the number of trained responders, and enhancing data collection for continuous program evaluation. The project will foster stronger community relations, reduce the use of force, and provide comprehensive support to individuals in crisis. The grant was awarded on October 1, 2024, with a performance period ending on September 30, 2026.

This program aims to provide timely and effective responses to behavioral health crises by integrating additional behavioral health clinicians into crisis response teams, alongside law enforcement and paramedics. The primary purpose of the pact program is to reduce arrests and improve community safety by addressing behavioral health and substance use emergencies through DE-escalation and resource linkage. Key activities include expanding operational hours, increasing the number of trained responders, and enhancing data collection for continuous program evaluation. Partners in this initiative include emergency services community paramedic program and local behavioral health organizations. The project will foster stronger community relations, reduce the use of force, and provide comprehensive support to individuals in crisis.