Police – Mental Health Collaboration To Expand With $10 Million Investment

Phil Murphy

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy announced that his upcoming budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024 will include $10 million in funding to expand the ARRIVE Together program to the entire state, creating the first statewide law enforcement and mental health co-responder collaboration in the country.

Governor Murphy, joined by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, also announced the upcoming expansion of the program, which connects mental health professionals with law enforcement officers to more effectively respond to mental-health-crisis calls, set to take place this year. Utilizing $2 million in funds set aside by the Governor and state lawmakers in the current FY2023 state budget, over two dozen municipalities in 10 different counties will be joining ARRIVE Together starting in May 2023.

“The ARRIVE Together program is a game changer, and I am incredibly pleased by the success the program has had during its pilot stages in connecting those experiencing behavioral health crises with a certified mental health professional,” said Governor Murphy. “This proposed investment and the expansion of the program will help our efforts to enhance law enforcement’s servicing of neighborhoods and will strengthen the bonds between our officers and the communities they serve. Attorney General Platkin, Colonel Callahan, and I will continue to work with our state’s law enforcement and mental health professionals to ensure these crises are de-escalated safely, fairly, and efficiently to protect individuals in mental distress.”

“ARRIVE Together began as a State Police pilot program, and through partnerships forged between law enforcement and mental health providers we are building it into a statewide program,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “It has been a transformative and powerful model, consistently de-escalating situations that could have had far worse outcomes for everyone involved. With the support and vision of Governor Murphy, I am committed to continuing to grow this program and improve services for our most vulnerable residents.”

That imminent expansion will bring the total number of law enforcement agencies involved in the initiative to over thirty. In most jurisdictions, mental health professionals will accompany plainclothes officers in unmarked police vehicles to respond to 9-1-1 calls for service relating to mental or behavioral health crises, although each county may employ a slightly different framework of interaction between the mental health and law enforcement responders. Nine different health care providers around the state have signed on to dedicate their resources to work with police on this effort, which is designed to form relationships between individuals needing help and law enforcement and mental health professionals, in order to de-escalate situations and transition away from law enforcement relying on emergency rooms or use of force.

“The deployment of mental health professionals, in concert with New Jersey State Troopers, has provided vital services to those in mental distress at the time where it is needed the most,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We have taken the program to the forefront as an investment into the well-being of the citizens we are sworn to serve. Just as emergency medical services are summoned to a scene to serve as a higher level of patient care, the State Police recognizes that the trusted partners of the ARRIVE Together Program have the ability to mitigate crisis, reduce the risk of physical harm, and potentially bridge the gap into continued compassionate care for citizens struggling with mental health issues. We celebrate the expansion of this indispensable plan of action and look forward to joining new law enforcement partners as they join in this altruistic project.”

The teams of law enforcement officers paired with mental health screeners have made over 300 contacts with residents suffering from mental health disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. During those interactions, there have been no injuries, and no response by an ARRIVE Together team has escalated into an arrest. Responding officers have only used force for involuntary transports of individuals ordered by the mental health professionals who co-responded.

Police officers from the following local municipalities and agencies will soon be participating in the program: Beachwood, Berkeley, Ocean Gate and Pine Beach.

“We are pleased to see the steady growth of the ARRIVE Together program in New Jersey, as an increasing number of munic - ipal police departments are collaborating with mental health providers,” said Thomas Dellane, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

“While this program is only in its infancy, it has enormous potential. ARRIVE

Together has already demonstrated itself as a vital tool for law enforcement, as we respond to incidents involving individuals suffering from mental or behavioral struggles. We salute Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s commitment to this initiative, as well as the State Police and local police departments that are already involved. We look forward to its steady expansion across New Jersey.”

Tax Accountant

Manchester Accounting Services – Whiting, NJ 08759

Are you a CPA wanting to be your own boss versus a larger firm environment? Set your own schedule! CPA Owner is seeking other CPAs to responsibly team up and get the work done. There are fulltime, part-time or seasonal positions with a business that is 35+ years in the same established location.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's Degree

Tax preparation experience: 5-7 years

CPA preferred

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Primarily responsible for preparation of 1040 tax returns

• Additionally responsible for preparation of tax returns for S corporations, C corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts and not-for-profits

• Preparation of federal and state quarterly estimated income tax payments and annual extension payments

• Tax planning

• Respond to inquiries from the IRS and other tax authorities

• Solid knowledge of and ability to interpret tax rules and regulations

• Research and consultation on various tax matters

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

• Ability to handle simultaneous projects, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines

PREFERRED SKILLS INCLUDE:

• Working knowledge of ProSeries (or comparable) and Microsoft Office applications

• Personable and quick-witted

Please submit resumes including salary requirements –INFO@ManchesterAccountingServices.com

No calls please. EOE

Potential candidates will be contacted to interview.

Job Types: Part-time, Seasonal, Full-time

Salary: $30.00 - $45.00 per hour based on experience

Benefits: Flexible schedule highly-trained and dedicated professionals,” the mayor said. “They are committed to making our community safe, and they stand ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to answer the call when the people of Brick Township need you, for whatever purpose it may be,” he said to a standing-room only crowd of police officers, their families and others who attended the swearing-in ceremony.

COVID-19 considerations: All clients are asked to wear a mask. Lobby seating was removed. Client appointments are limited. All staff in the office are vaccinated/boosted.

Mayor Ducey said he wanted every police officer to know that “I truly appreciate your work” and said that that sentiment is shared by the township council and by the entire town.

“Our town loves our police department, which is something to say espe - cially in the state of the United States at this point,” the mayor added.

Mayor Ducey said that appointing a new police chief is a great responsibility, and said he has the utmost confidence in his decision to appoint David Forrester, who has been a member of the Brick Police Department since February 1996.

According to Township Business Administrator Joanne Bergin, since Brick

Township is a Civil Service town, the state administers a test for police hires and promotions and Chief Forrester ranked number one on the chief’s test. He was appointed by the mayor and his appointment does not require council approval.

Over the past nearly three decades, Forrester has “consistently proven himself to be an exceptional law enforcement officer” who has served in many roles in the department “that are too many to list,” Mayor Ducey said.

Some of his past positions and responsibilities include patrol officer, field training officer, school resource officer, detective, member of CERT, sergeant, assistant accreditation manager, training supervisor, patrol supervisor, lieutenant, internal affairs, captain, community policing division commander and investigations division commander.

“This is all in addition to his constant efforts to expand his knowledge about law enforcement through education seminars as well as training,” the mayor said. “As you can see, his resume is incredibly impressive; his breadth of knowledge of the department and law enforcement made him the ideal candidate to be the next chief of police.”

In his brief comments, Chief Forrester thanked the mayor, the business administrator and the council for believing in him and selecting him.

“I really appreciate it. It’s a great honor, especially to lead the men and women I have in my department,” he said. “They make my job throughout my career very easy, and I’m looking forward to leading into the future.”

The first Brick Township police chief was Ronald J. Dougard, who was appointed in 1990. In 2008, Nils R. Bergquist became the second police chief, who served until 2015 when James Riccio became the new chief.

Three additional officers were promoted during the ceremony and were sworn in by Mayor Ducey: Capt. Henry Drew, Lt. Lawrence Petrola and Sgt. Kenneth Steinberg.

Senior Services Program Spotlight: Chair Yoga

BRICK – Chair Yoga is a great program that offers many benefits to older residents. Yoga postures are performed in chair or with the use of a chair. This gentle form of yoga has low impact on joints and can help improve flexibility, pain management, circulation, balance and more.

Chair Yoga is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Senior Services Activity Center, 373 Adamston Road. It is free for residents ages 60 and over. For more information, call Senior Services at 732-920-8686.