By Staff
May 7th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a really nice news story.
Not too many of this kind of story comes out of the police service.
Halton Regional Police Service and Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) Partner Sign Memorandum of Understanding
The Halton Regional Police Service and Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) have a long history of partnership and collaboration in responding to and supporting youth in Halton who experience mental health issues.
ROCK is a community based, multi-service organization that works to promote and achieve optimal mental health in children and youth from birth to 17 years of age and their families.
Members of the Halton Regional Police Service experience many mental health related interactions with youth. Police are often called to, or become aware of, youth who are experiencing a mental health crisis, or in need of mental services.
Currently, Police can facilitate mental health services through referrals to the Halton Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST).
However, COAST services are not generally available to youth under the age of 16.
Together, the Halton Regional Police Service and ROCK have developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed by both organizations on May 7, 2019 during Children’s Mental Health Week. This enhanced partnership will allow Halton Regional Police Service members to directly refer youth under 17 and their families to ROCK, with their consent, in an effort to provide improved mental health support.
For questions regarding this initiative, please contact Inspector Sue Biggs of the Regional Community Mobilization Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 4754