179-26 - MHA MOU - Redlined.doc.pdf

1 179-26 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR CO- RESPONDER PROGRAM BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES OF ESSEX AND MORRIS COUNTIES This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is hereby entered into between the Township of West Orange Police Department (“WOPD”) and the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris Counties (“MHA”) for implementation of a co-responder program which provides critical services to the community for de-escalation, response, treatment, and follow-up. WHEREAS, the WOPD and MHA participated in a pilot program between September 1, 2020 and February 1, 2021, ; and WHEREAS, the WOPD and MHA continued their participation in the co-responder program between February 1, 2021 and October 1, 2021; andWHEREAS, the WOPD is highly decorated and experienced in addressing a myriad of circumstances; and WHEREAS, between January 1, 2021 and through April 2026, the WOPD received 2,290 mental health calls; and WHEREAS, mental health calls require immediate, compassionate and directed responses and follow ups to ensure de-escalation and the safety and well-being of the community; and WHEREAS, the WOPD has previously implemented Operation HOPE (heroin-opiate prevention effort) to train volunteers and assist persons who voluntarily seek treatment; and WHEREAS, between January 1, 2021 and the present, the Township has received 1,765 mental health calls, and the MHA has assisted with responding to 694 of those calls; and WHEREAS, regardless of whether the Township and/or MHA responds to a mental health call in the community, MHA follows up with each individual encountered pursuant to a mental health call; and WHEREAS, the Township received a grant on October 1, 2021 from the United States Department of Justice under the Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Responses Program (“DOJ Grant”) which expired on September 30, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Township finds that their partnership with the MHA has been beneficial to the health, welfare, and safety of the community; and WHEREAS, the Township finds that it is in the best interest of the Township and its inhabitants to continue their partnership with the MHA. NOW, BE IT HEREBY AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP AND MHA as follows: Formatted: Right Deleted: Associates Deleted: EM Deleted: EM Deleted: have begun collaborating on a pilot program Deleted:

MHA. NOW, BE IT HEREBY AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP AND MHA as follows: Formatted: Right Deleted: Associates Deleted: EM Deleted: EM Deleted: have begun collaborating on a pilot program Deleted: ¶ Deleted: July 13, 2019 and July 13, 2020 Deleted: 393 Deleted: Deleted: the Township has previously entered into a ground-breaking pilot program with MHAEM but due to resources, MHAEM was only able to respond to 37 calls during the six (6) month initiative while there have been approximately 197 mental health calls demonstrating a need for further coverage and response Deleted: the Township has made this a priority towards the health, welfare and safety of the entire community; and¶ Deleted: is desirous of applying to the Deleted: for a grant under the Deleted: . Deleted: EM