Cumming, Ga. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are delivering resources to expand mental health services in Forsyth County.
Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to help Forsyth County expand their Crisis Intervention Response Team program.
According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, their Crisis Intervention Response Team helps to decrease the number of arrests and improve mental health services by pairing a specially trained sheriff’s deputy with a clinician to form a co-response team to respond to mental health calls. This funding will help the Sheriff’s Office expand the program to build and increase access to mental health services.
Sens. Ossoff and Reverend Warnock are delivering $277,598 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on January 23.
“When first responders enter a situation with someone in a mental health crisis, we must ensure they have the training and support they need,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That is why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver resources to strengthen mental health crisis response in Forsyth County.”
“Mental health crises require a deft mindset and proper training,” said Senator Warnock. “These federal funds will help expand the resources Forsyth County officers need to do their jobs. We must use every tool available to fight the mental health epidemic and I am proud to work alongside Senator Ossoff on this effort.”
“The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office gratefully acknowledges Congress for the $277,598 of discretionary funding that supports the expansion of the FCSO’s Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT). This expansion strengthens the program’s ability to respond effectively to mental health-related call by increasing the use of de-escalation strategies and connecting individuals in crisis to appropriate care. This funding directly supports CIRT in reducing unnecessary incarceration, improving access to mental health treatment and support services, and promoting better outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health crises in our community,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
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