HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) is adding two mental health co-responder positions as part of an ongoing effort to support those facing a mental health crisis. These positions include a licensed clinician and a qualified mental health professional (QMHP).

These co-responders will join officers on calls for service where mental health may be a factor to better assess the needs of individuals in crisis and assist officers in handling the call. These positions are funded by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to further support responding officers and those facing a mental health crisis. The objectives of the co-responder program are:
• Expand field-based assessment to better connect individuals to community-based mental health, substance use, and other support services.
• Increase follow-up with individuals released from the crisis assessment center, hospitals, or jails.
• Increase Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) refresher and advanced topics training among HPD officers.
• Expand data tracking, coordination, and utilization across regional justice and mental health partners.

Applications for the licensed clinician co-responder are now open and can be found at www.harrisonburgva.gov/join/harrisonburg/police.