Louisville appears to be moving forward with a key police reform proposal that began after Breonna Taylor's death.A local collaborative is working on a pilot project for Metro Louisville government that could soon send social workers and mental health professionals on some emergency calls instead of police officers."Oftentimes, a 911 call is made because that's the only thing folks know to do when they're in a moment of crisis," said Shannon Cambron, chair of Spalding University's School of Social Work.When the call comes in, LMPD officers respond to the scene, but what if the caller really needs someone other than an officer?"An alternative responder would give us the option to vet what those issues are and send a plumber to a leaky pipe and an electrician to a short, in essence," Cambron said. The group developing the plan is called DOVE, which stands for Diversion Options: Voice and Empowerment. "So that we can link people to the social services that they need when they're in crisis, rather than having the best options be hospital and jail," Susan Buchino said. Spalding is working with UofL, Seven Counties Services and Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services. DOVE also has a 20-member advisory panel.While plans have not been finalized, so far the proposal calls for two clinicians per shift, working in one of two of LMPD's divisions. A triage center would also provide an alternative to jail or a hospital.The estimated cost for the pilot program is $3 million, Cambron said.
Louisville appears to be moving forward with a key police reform proposal that began after Breonna Taylor's death.
A local collaborative is working on a pilot project for Metro Louisville government that could soon send social workers and mental health professionals on some emergency calls instead of police officers.
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"Oftentimes, a 911 call is made because that's the only thing folks know to do when they're in a moment of crisis," said Shannon Cambron, chair of Spalding University's School of Social Work.
When the call comes in, LMPD officers respond to the scene, but what if the caller really needs someone other than an officer?
"An alternative responder would give us the option to vet what those issues are and send a plumber to a leaky pipe and an electrician to a short, in essence," Cambron said.
The group developing the plan is called DOVE, which stands for Diversion Options: Voice and Empowerment.
"So that we can link people to the social services that they need when they're in crisis, rather than having the best options be hospital and jail," Susan Buchino said.
Spalding is working with UofL, Seven Counties Services and Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services. DOVE also has a 20-member advisory panel.
While plans have not been finalized, so far the proposal calls for two clinicians per shift, working in one of two of LMPD's divisions. A triage center would also provide an alternative to jail or a hospital.
The estimated cost for the pilot program is $3 million, Cambron said.
May 21, 2021 at 07:37AM
https://www.wlky.com/article/louisville-pilot-project-could-send-alternative-responders-to-some-emergency-calls/36492930
Louisville pilot project could send 'alternative responders' to some emergency calls - WLKY Louisville
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