Police Social Work Program Launches In McHenry County

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL —The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with local governments to create a police social work program for police departments countywide.

Lauded as a "groundbreaking program," which was developed in cooperation with the sheriff’s office, the McHenry County Board, and the McHenry County Mental Health Board, the police social work program 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, according to a news release. 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,” 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,” said County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, R-Crystal Lake. “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.”