Chelan County co-responder program highlighted at national conference Submitted by Jill FitzSimmons Chelan County public information officer

The Chelan County Behavioral Health Unit’s program manager, Ana Johnson, spoke recently at the 2022 National Co-Responder Conference in Chapel Hill, N.C., about how other rural agencies can establish co-responder programs.

Held June 6-8, the National Co-Responder Conference brings together law enforcement agencies and mental health professionals from 25 states. More than 300 people attended the conference. Co-responders are social workers or mental health professionals who respond to calls for service alongside law enforcement officials.

Johnson’s presentation, titled Helping the Hidden: Implementation of Rural Co-Responder Programs, focused on how to establish a co-responder program, the challenges and successes of Chelan County’s program, patrol buy-in, and community response. Chelan County is the first county in North Central Washington to establish and develop a co-responder program; its program was established in 2021. Chief of Patrol Adam Musgrove spoke during the presentation on behalf of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. Contact 509-667-6545.