(PINE HILL, NJ) – The Pine Hill Police Department (PHPD) in partnership with Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) today launched the IMPACT ARRIVE Together Initiative, an extension of the IMPACT (Immediate Mobilization of Police Assisted Crisis Teams) Program. Made possible by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Connect and Protect Grant, the program will enhance social service delivery through an added triage component to participating police departments.
“Pine Hill Police Department is honored to receive the Connect and Protect Federal Subgrant Funding from the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General,” said Chief Christopher Winters, Pine Hill Police Department. “The additional triage component added to the IMPACT Program will provide a faster response to social services linkage for residents. We are also honored to have received this grant in partnership with Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, Legacy Treatment Services, and Clementon, Gibbsboro, Lindenwold and Voorhees Police Departments.”
IMPACT ARRIVE Together enhances the process of streamlining the delivery of social services to residents during a call for service. VOADV IMPACT Specialists will be dispatched with police partners to provide immediate triage on-site. The response team will be able to leverage the existing relationship with Legacy Treatment Services for telepsychiatry with the addition of tele crisis evaluation through a new partnership with Oaks Integrated Care. Following the triage component, the existing designated VOADV IMPACT Specialists will continue with care management.
IMPACT ARRIVE Together is the newest initiative under the IMPACT Program as it adapts to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves through additional triage components.
“I commend our partners in Camden County for their innovative utilization of federal grants, leading to the expansion of the ARRIVE Together and IMPACT Programs,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “By envisioning new approaches to address the challenges faced by individuals in mental health crises, we are witnessing the positive transformation of our communities into safer environments and fostering better relationships between law enforcement and the people we serve. Today’s expansion serves as a shining example of the profound possibilities that can be realized when we embrace creative thinking and collaboration. I remain committed to continuing to grow ARRIVE Together – in Camden County and across the state – to ensure that our residents receive the care and treatment they need in times of crisis.”
In 2019, IMPACT launched with VOADV IMPACT Specialists embedded in the Pine Hill Police Department 40 hours per week to offer direct, immediate social services referrals and linkage with extensive care management side-by-side with law enforcement. Since its inception, IMPACT has expanded to twenty-four police department partnerships throughout the State of New Jersey.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of law enforcement in New Jersey, and today’s launch of IMPACT Arrive Together is a vital next step. This progression of a community-based service delivery model will enhance public safety, strengthen our communities, and save lives,” said Senator Fred Madden, Legislative District 4.
2021 saw the addition of IMPACT mobile units, fully equipped to deliver an array of social services throughout Southern New Jersey. The vehicles can be dispatched, as needed, to communities throughout the VOADV footprint in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Ocean and Salem counties.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, I want to congratulate Chief Winters and the Pine Hill Police Department for being recognized by the New Jersey Attorney General as a recipient of their Connect and Protect Grant!” said VOADV President & CEO Daniel L. Lombardo. “Our organization has been in partnership with Pine Hill Police for many years. This grant award exemplifies the creative community policing strategy which has been in place in Pine Hill for nearly a decade. VOADV is honored to serve along side the Pine Hill PD to address the needs of community residents.”
Along with Pine Hill, IMPACT ARRIVE includes partnerships with Clementon, Gibbsboro, Lindenwold and Voorhees Police Departments in Camden County.