Albemarle county will expand and enhance the behavioral health continuum of care by adding a diversion opportunity at the emergency communications center by hiring a qualified mental health…

The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded a $540,000 Project Grant to Albemarle County, Virginia under the Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (CFDA 16.745). The funding will be used to expand and enhance the county's behavioral health crisis continuum of care by adding a mental health professional at the emergency communications center, a second co-responder team with peer support, a data collection tool, and a collaborative governance team. This multi-pronged approach aims to improve community safety and consumer well-being by leveraging the expertise of law enforcement, paramedics, mental health providers, 911 operators, and human service professionals. The project will be completed over a 3-year period from October 2024 to September 2027.

Albemarle county will expand and enhance the behavioral health continuum of care by adding a diversion opportunity at the emergency communications center by hiring a qualified mental health professional, a second CO-responder team with peer support staffing, a data collection tool, and a collaborative governance team to enhance community safety and consumer well-being. Federal funding will be matched by albemarle county general funds and virginia opioid abatement authority funds to support a robust multi-tiered response to community members in behavioral health crisis making good use of the expertise and skills of law enforcement, paramedics, mental health providers, 911 operators, and human service professionals. There are no planned conference activities for the recommended award.