Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams in Bradford
Funding will help police in Simcoe County support people experiencing a mental health crisis
October 27, 2023
YORK-SIMCOE — The Ontario government is providing $117,864.58 to help The South Simcoe Police Service provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The funding is being delivered through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant program and enables police to utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.
“Each and every day front line police officers across the province are challenged by serious interactions with members of the public facing mental health and addictions emergencies.” said Caroline Mulroney MPP for York-Simcoe. “The Mobile Crisis Response Team Grant (MCRT) funding will ensure that those living in Simcoe County will have the best trained officers responding when they need their support during their most vulnerable moments. Our province is committed to providing our police with the resources they need to keep Ontarians safe.”
“The Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) Grant is a critical investment and represents an important benefit for Innisfil and Simcoe County residents,” said MPP Andrea Khanjin. “The funding will build on the great work South Simcoe police does to help the community at large when it comes to complex situations, mental health, and addiction calls. The MCRT Grant is certainly a high-priority element for our community’s safety and well-being, and I know South Simcoe Police and our community will benefit greatly from this provincial grant.”
In 2023-24, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 39 municipal and First Nations police services, as well as Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), to help strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.
“We’re supporting our police services by providing them with the resources they need to assist vulnerable people in crisis situations,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Mobile Crisis Response Teams are best positioned to respond to people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis and are an important part of how police in collaboration with this government are working hard to keep Ontarians safe.”
“This grant will help us meet the growing need to assist people in crisis in our communities. The additional funding allows our mental health partner agencies to expand hours of coverage for the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) program. The program consists of a specially trained, plainclothes police officer and a mental health crisis worker who respond to crisis calls. Working together to de-escalate situations and provide mental health support, this program is essential to help persons in crisis navigate support systems in our communities. We are grateful to be included in the recipients of this funding, which will enhance the crucial role of COAST.”
~ Chief John Van Dyke
QUICK FACTS
- Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers working together to respond to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers can assess if an individual should be sent to an emergency department for treatment and/or provide referrals to community programs that support mental and physical well-being.
- The Mobile Crisis Response Teams Enhancement Grant is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system and complements the government’s earlier commitments to protect people’s health and enhance mobile crisis teams across the province.
-30-