On P.O.I.N.T. Program Discussed By NJ Reps In Stafford

STAFFORD, NJ — New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and 3rd Congressional District Representative Andy Kim visited Stafford Township on Aug. 8 to meet with Stafford police, Bright Harbor Health Care and seven local police departments to discuss the On P.O.I.N.T. program.

The On P.O.I.N.T. program provides on-site social workers for police departments to use for mental health and substance abuse crises, along with the social service-related calls and services police receive. Since its establishment in 2016, it has expanded to nine police departments, providing early intervention for those going through mental health crises who would previously enter the criminal justice system. Instead, through the program, those individuals are diverted into the proper health care system.

Booker and Kim assisted with securing $32,000 in congressionally directed funding for the program, according to a release from Booker's office.

In the meeting, Booker and Kim discussed the the challenges police and medical providers have experienced in the program, along with its successes, according to the release.

“There has been a gap between how law enforcement and the mental health and substance use treatment systems have interacted with each other—we both try to help the same community members, however we have often not communicated with each other or worked in concert,” said Meghan Corrigan, co-creator of the On P.O.I.N.T. at Bright Harbor Healthcare. “The On P.O.I.N.T. program was intentionally designed to address the gap between law enforcement's initial observation and triage of a crisis to long term treatment and support to resolve the underlying cause of the crisis.”

“As law enforcement officers have often told me, police departments are overburdened responding to distressful calls that involve issues related to mental illness, addiction, or poverty,” Booker said. “Appropriately addressing these challenges requires the expertise of social workers, medical professionals, and mental health experts. With the On P.O.I.N.T program, police departments are receiving the support they need to help the most vulnerable. I am proud to have fought alongside Rep. Any Kim for funding to expand this vital initiative and was grateful to hear from stakeholders today about their experiences implementing and using the program.”

“Our police officers are the first ones to answer the call when we are in danger and it's up to us to make sure they have the resources they need to continue doing this important work,” said Kim. “I'm proud to have worked with Senator Booker to secure funding for Stafford Police Department to expand their successful and innovative On P.O.I.N.T. partnership with Bright Harbor Healthcare to include Barnegat Police Department. Together, our local police and mental health professionals are improving outcomes, reducing violence, having safer interactions, and improving community relations.”

“I thank both Senator Booker and Congressman Kim for their continued support of the On P.O.I.N.T. program,” said Thomas Dellane, Stafford Township Police Chief. “Their advocacy on behalf of the program has enabled On P.O.I.N.T. staff to effectuate positive change in many people’s lives thereby improving the mental and physical health of communities that On P.O.I.N.T. serves.”