McHenry County Government: Sheriff's Office Creates Countywide Police Social Work Program

Press release from the McHenry County Government:

11/09/2021 9:36 AM

WOODSTOCK, Ill. – The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with local governments to create a police social work program for police departments countywide.

The groundbreaking program, developed in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office, the McHenry County Board, and the McHenry County Mental Health Board, will support police officers with full-time police social workers to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the county’s network of social service providers.

The Sheriff’s Office created a police social work program in 2017 in an effort to alleviate law enforcement’s responses to mental health-related calls for service. The Police Social Work Program developed into a successful collaboration between law enforcement and direct service providers. Sheriff Bill Prim said he looks forward to this new cooperative program benefiting the entire county.

“Too often, law enforcement is the first contact for people in need of mental health services – people who need help,” Sheriff Bill Prim said. “Our Police Social Work program has been an ongoing success story, and we want to see it continue. By bridging the gap between law enforcement, citizens, and mental health resources, we help keep residents healthy and out of the criminal justice system. I’m very eager to see this program implemented at police departments across McHenry County.”

The program will consist of several police social workers who will support participating police departments during mental health-related calls. Social workers will connect residents to resources, such as direct social service providers, and conduct follow-ups with cases and clients. Additionally, an on-call police social worker will be available to assist officers, 24 hours a day, for phone consultation or direct response when major mental health crises arise. Police social workers will be supervised by a clinical supervisor and program director, while the program will be managed by an advisory council.

“The program will help forge deep and dependable relationships among the community, care providers, police, and other agencies,” said County Coordinator Chalen Daigle. “The agreement will be the latest in an ongoing effort to share services and foster closer partnerships among McHenry County’s governments.”

Through the collaboration of county law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, and organizations, the Sheriff’s Office anticipates bringing a strong and consistent response to individuals of all demographics. A temporary incubator space will be used within The Community Foundation for McHenry County Philanthropy Center. This space will be used for program development, training, and administrative office space.

“Bringing together local police departments and the Sheriff’s Office for such an important program is groundbreaking for McHenry County residents,” Daigle said. “The Police Social Work program is a shining example of collaboration between government agencies in McHenry County. I’m excited to see the program grow and benefit our residents and law enforcement.”

All McHenry County police departments are offered the opportunity to participate in the program. Funding will come from participating police departments, the County Board and the Mental Health Board.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest among local police agencies to be able to help facilitate positive outcomes when it comes to mental health-related police calls,” County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, said. “This program will not only connect people needing mental health assistance with McHenry County’s deep network of social service agencies, but also will strengthen the bonds between the public and the men and women of law enforcement.”

This press release was produced by the McHenry County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.