CHAMBERSBURG – Recognition of the work of crisis responders and co-responders was behind Franklin County Commissioners’ proclamation of the week of Sept. 15-21 to be National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week.
Mental health challenges may lead to a variety of unfavorable outcomes, including homelessness, law enforcement interaction, incarceration and emergency room visits. Each of those scenarios is more intrusive and more costly for communities and individuals compared to early interventions through behavioral health services, county officials said.
Seeing that impact and a corresponding need for additional behavioral health resources, Franklin County established a Mental Health Co-Responder Program to embed mental health professionals with law enforcement agencies to respond collaboratively to individuals in crisis, provide the right intervention at the right time to avoid arrests, emergency room visits and repeat 911 calls by connecting those individuals to appropriate resources.
Since May 2017, the co-responders with the Chambersburg, Greencastle, Washington Township and Waynesboro police departments have served more than 2,300 individuals for more than 11,000 contacts. Of those 2,000-plus individuals, 89 percent have not had additional contact with law enforcement. In 2023, a third co-responder position was established. This program was initiated thanks to funding from a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant and continues today with support from the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Chambersburg and Waynesboro police departments.
These co-responders work collaboratively within their own law enforcement agencies, but also with the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services, Franklin County’s adult and juvenile probation departments, Franklin County Jail, Keystone Health and a variety of human service agencies.
“The co-responder program has had a positive impact on our communities by diverting residents experiencing mental health challenges from entering the criminal justice system,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “Thanks to the work of our co-responders and crisis responders, these individuals are better able to connect with behavioral health resources and our law enforcement agencies have an increased opportunity to focus their efforts on other areas of protecting and serving our communities.”
By highlighting National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week in Franklin County, the commissioners are encouraging residents to recognize the services these professionals provide to protect area communities, lessen the strain on the criminal justice system and offer appropriate resources to those in need.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of immediate attention, help is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week through the Keystone Health Crisis Intervention Program by calling 717-264-2555 or through walk-in services at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. Help is also available by calling or texting the National Suicide Lifeline at 988.
