THE ARAPAHOE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ADDING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO ITS STAFF... AND THEY WILL JOIN DEPUTIES ON THE JOB. THE CO-RESPONDER PROGRAM PUTS LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS ALONGSIDE DEPUTIES TO HELP DE-ESCALATE SITUATIONS AND GIVE PEOPLE MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE WHEN NECESSARY.
WE'RE GETTING A CLOSER LOOK WITH ARAPAHOE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CHIEF GLENN THOMPSON... WHO IS LEADING THE PROGRAM.
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-- Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office has so far hired three mental health clinicians to be co-responders
-- As part of te Behavioral Health Response Program, the co-responders will provide clinical assessments while “relieving deputies of providing behavioral health services that have generally been placed on them,” according to the sheriff’s office.
-- The co-responder crisis staffers will assist with mandatory reporting to appropriate agencies, and connect people with services that provide behavioral health support.
-- Their duties will include de-escalating situations and procuring additional help and support for people with mental health service needs