A social worker may soon be assisting police officers in Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, and Upper Makefield Township.
Both Newtown Borough and Newtown Township officials have approved a memorandum of understanding with Bucks County Human Services Division to introduce a co-responder to the area.
The co-responder, who will also work out of the Newtown Ambulance Squad, will have their salary covered by the county for the first two years. After that, the municipalities will assume responsibility for the co-responder’s salary, officials said.
Last month, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia and county official Ivone Kovalsky addressed the Newtown Borough Council to garner support for the program.
Launched in 2020 with bipartisan support from Bucks County Commissioners and county law enforcement agencies, the co-responder program pairs county social workers, called co-responders, with police departments. The co-responders assist by joining police on some calls and handling follow-up requests to aid with mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and aging issues. Equipped with county cars and protective gear, the social workers connect individuals in crisis with relevant resources, allowing police officers to focus more on law enforcement duties.
The program is funded by the county for the first two years.
At the May 8, 2024, Newtown BOS meeting, the supervisors approved a Co-Responder Memorandum of Agreement.
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