Waltham PD Gets Piece of $1.9 Mil. Grant for Jail Diversion Program

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health announced recently that 13 police departments will receive grants totaling $1.9 million to implement Crisis Intervention Team training and Jail Diversion Programs.

The departments of Arlington, Bedford, Boston, Brockton, Danvers, Fitchburg, Marlborough, Somerville, Taunton, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown and Worcester were selected to receive the funds over the next three years.

These grants allow existing programs within the departments to expand, but also helps law enforcement agencies develop jail diversion programs, which strive to give better treatment to those behind bars when they are experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

“Intervention training for our local police departments will help individuals with mental health issues find appropriate care,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “We are proud these grants will offer the assistance, skills and resources for local law enforcement to identify those in need of mental health or substance abuse care and seek out appropriate treatment services.”

There are now more than 40 local police departments with DMH Jail Diversion Programs after this round of funding, and specialized training efforts are underway statewide. DMH provides approximately $1.4 million per year to expand the partnerships with police and expand the Crisis Intervention Team model.

“Jail diversion programs are effective community based interventions to help individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis receive treatment rather than incarceration,” said Secretary Marylou Sudders. “Training will provide our police officers with the skills to handle these emergencies.”

The CIT model was developed in Memphis, TN and is now used around the world to train first responders to better recognize, de-escalate and intervene with individuals who are in behavioral health crisis and divert them to treatment they need, said the announcement. The models of police based diversion activities supported by DMH have involved training for law enforcement from several state agencies, including the Department of Veterans Services, Department of Youth Services, and the Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.