COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township Police Department is attempting to have a positive impact on mental health issues that lead to police involvement. A joint program with Volunteers of America provides police officers responding to a crisis with the ability to use the group’s social services personnel as part of a team response.

At the Township Committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, Mayor Christopher Leusner took a moment to share recent results from the program, which is state grant funded.

For the months of September through November, a total of 91 encounters – an encounter being an interaction between an individual needing help and a Volunteers of America member – resulted in 20 homeless individuals being offered housing. Sixteen of those 20 accepted and were connected to a housing option.

Leusner said he expects the program to continue to result in successful resolutions in instances that required police response.

Volunteers of America is a faith-based, nonprofit human services organization with programs in 46 states.

Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.