Manchester Police Join 'On POINT' Social Services Program

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township police officers who encounter people in need of social and mental health services will have support in helping them, after the Township Council approved a one-year shared services agreement on Monday.

The partnership with Ocean Mental Health Services will connect Manchester police with the On POINT (Proactive Outreach In Needs and Treatment) program.

The one-year agreement is funded by a grant, according to the resolution approved by the council.

"On POINT embeds social workers in the police departments to collaborate effectively with officers and address the community’s needs," the Ocean Mental Health Services website says.

The program was developed to address the high volume of mental health, substance abuse and social service-related calls and incidents that utilize a considerable volume of police and emergency resources, Ocean Mental Health Services says.

"Our current research indicates police officers respond to calls for service from the same individual/family on multiple occasions," the website says. "Police officers restore peace, but they are not sufficiently trained to address the underlying cause of behavioral and mental health issues, therefore, are often forced to respond multiple times to address crises."

Ocean Mental Health Services created the program in cooperation with the Stafford Township Police Department in 2016, and it has expanded to include partnerships with the Little Egg Harbor, Lacey and South Toms River police departments.

"On POINT provides an easy access point for officers to refer those in need without the burden of knowing all available programs, services and the modality to access them," the website says.

The cooperation between On POINT social workers and police results leads to social workers engaging "those referred without the presence or involvement of an officer. Through this approach, officers simply become the bridge to mental health, addiction and social need services instead of the resolution."

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