DBPD/SMA Receive $10K Grant To Be Used For Virtual Mental Health Crisis Response Team

Daytona Beach, FL – The SMA Healthcare Foundation (SMA) and the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) are joint recipients of a $10,000 grant from Macy’s. The money will be used for the collaborative crisis response program between SMA and the DBPD. “Community is at the heart of our Macy’s team and giving back is in our DNA,” said Kristen Twomey, store manager of Macy’s. “We are honored to provide support to such an incredible organization, whose impactful work plays a vital role in strengthening and enriching our community.” iPads for the Virtual Mental Health Crisis Response Team for First Responders will be purchased with the funds. The iPads will connect police officers with trained mental health professionals when they encounter a situation where a professional is needed. The telehealth platform will be available 24/7. Per a press release from SMA: It is the intent of both SMA and the DBPD to fully resource a crisis response team to respond to non-criminal emergency 911 calls, in an effort to reduce confrontations involving police officers, save money and potentially lives, allowing police to concentrate on law enforcement. As SMA and DBPD continue to work out all the details, SMA staff Jennifer Stephenson (Senior Director of Outpatient Services) and Mellonese Mayfield (Director of Crisis Response Team) took the time to meetwith officers at each shift change and provide additional information about SMA’s Crisis Response Team, which will play an essential role in the program.  “I am extremely excited about this new initiative and partnership with SMA Healthcare” said Chief Jakari Young, DBPD. “These iPads will allow us to provide immediate access to a mental health professional for those in our community experiencing a mental health crisis. Our officers now have another problem solving tool that will allow us to better assist our community. I want to express our sincere gratitude to Macy’s for the purchase of these iPads and to SMA Healthcare forproviding the expertise that will save lives.”