Co-Responder Serving Yardley Area Communities

YARDLEY, PA —For the past six months, the borough and its neighboring towns have had a Co-Responder on board.

With National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week beginning Monday, the Yardley Borough Police Department and Police Chief Joseph Kelly III is honoring Taylor Szarko for her service.

"The week celebrates the many co-responders and crisis responders carrying out this important work across the country while trying to meet the rising demand for mental health and substance use services," borough officials said.

Szarko began serving Yardley Boro, Lower Makefield Township, and the Borough of Morrisville PA in March.

She joined a network of other co-responders serving as partners to law enforcement agencies and assisting our residents in need throughout Bucks County.

The position has been funded by a grant for two years.

Borough officials said Szarko has been "extremely busy" helping those in need connect with social, legal, and mental health services.

The Co-Responder program pairs social service and mental health professionals, known as Co-Responders, with police officers to divert people with social and mental health needs away from the criminal justice system.

Co-responders are social workers who work collaboratively with police and social services agencies to serve people who come into contact with police who need social services.

The Co-Responders are available to respond to situations involving mental health and social services and to follow up on referrals and cases, freeing up police for patrol, emergencies, and public safety.