Special to the WJH
In 2023, Unison Behavioral Health was awarded a grant through Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) that allowed Unison to partner with the Ware County Sheriff's Office to create a Co-Responder program.
The program is unique in Georgia as it is staffed with one Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) who rides along with a deputy during the day responding to calls for individuals who are struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge.
The CPS helps the person to access inpatient and outpatient services at Unison and links them to other resources as needed. The goals of the program are to support law enforcement by having a mental health professional responding with them to work to improve outcomes for individuals by de-escalating crisis, diverting unnecessary arrests, increasing access to care, and reducing stigma associated with those struggling with mental health or substance use challenges.
Unison recently hosted DBHDD staff to highlight the accomplishments of the program. For National Co-Responder Day, Unison celebrated the many co-responders carrying out the important work across the country, while trying to meet the rising demand for mental health and substance use services.
Unison provided breakfast for Ware County Sheriff Carl James and members of his staff as a way to celebrate and recognize them for their partnership and the service they perform.
