In October 2020, the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs awarded Alamance County a three-year grant for $741,678. The Sheriff’s Office applied for the grant in partnership with RHA Healthcare, as the sub-award recipient. The four project deliverables for this grant include:
1) Expanding current Behavioral Health Crisis Center operational hours by 40%,
2) Enhancing community reentry services and referrals and decreasing jail recidivism by employing a Peer Support Specialist in detention,
3) enhancing the Behavioral Health crisis continuum of care in Alamance County so there is broad knowledge about where individuals go for services and seamless transition when referrals are made between mental health serving agencies, and lastly….
4) To relocate the Crisis/Diversion Center into a county-owned building with expanded hours of operation and continued progress toward the long-term community priority for a 24/7 Crisis/Diversion Center.
While there were delays in implementing the grant due to federal system changes and issues with getting the sub-award agreements in place locally; we’re happy to report that the grant is moving along nicely and the Peer Support Specialist is on board in detention and additional staff will be hired through RHA in the fall to support the expanded hours of operation for the crisis center. In addition, monthly meetings of the community crisis continuum committee are happening with directed goals towards a more cohesive and collaborative service continuum—and resumed conversations relative to the long-awaited Mental Health Crisis Diversion Center. More updates to come!
