MACON, Ga. — Sen. Jon Ossoff’s office announced Wednesday that the Bibb County Sheriff's Office will get $140,000 to enhance a relationship with River Edge, a mental health center in Macon.
Tommy Barnes at River Edge says the co-responder program was already in motion when the Georgia legislature put money into it.
They have one responder hired and that person will begin assisting the sheriff's office in November.
The additional money will fund one more responder to help with calls that involve someone who's intoxicated or dealing with a mental health issue.
Ossoff told 13WMAZ that this kind of help is easier to fund with bipartisan support.
“That mental health professional is there on the call to give expert advice to the deputies and to intervene directly to deescalate the situation,” Ossoff explained.
Barnes at River Edge says by the first of the year they hope to have a phone number to give to deputies. That way they would have access to a licensed therapist whenever they needed one.
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