Madison Youth & Family Services, Police Department Receive $114K Grant

MADISON, CT — Madison Youth & Family Services, in partnership with the Madison Police Department, is receiving a $114,000 Special Projects Grant from the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance for an "Outreach Social Worker" position, officials announced.

The grant will fund a part-time social worker, 24 hours per week for two years, and will also pay for necessary equipment and training.

"This position will receive administrative and clinical supervision through MYFS, and will be integrated with the Madison Police Department to work with police officers and first responders," officials wrote on Facebook. "The OSW will be considered a 'second responder' and can assist on site with emergency calls as well as to provide outreach following a police intervention for people identified with needs for support and/or resources."

The social worker will potentially help police emergency response "to be efficient and productive to address issues that may have contributed directly to the need for police intervention." Additionally, the social worker can also aid in the assessment of immediate safety and potential needs for resources, such as treatment services and/or to connect social services.

More information is available on the Madison Youth & Family Services webpage related to the grant proposal, as well as the Police Social Worker Pilot Program that conducted in 2022.