New funding will allow Ulster County to increase funding to Mobile Mental Health Team
Ulster County will allocate $900,000 to Mobile Mental Health and will dedicate full time social worker to Ulster County 911
Kingston, N.Y. – County Executive Pat Ryan and Sheriff Juan Figueroa have announced an agreement that will save taxpayers over $1 million in the 2021 Executive Budget by rightsizing staff at the Ulster County Jail to reflect declining inmate populations. The new arrangement will allow for the jail to be properly and safely staffed while realizing significant savings. County Executive Ryan also announced that he will use these savings to increase the Mobile Mental Health Team and include a full time social worker available to respond to 911 calls.
Through the 2021 Executive Budget, $900,000 in funding will be allocated to expand the Mobile Mental Health Team. The increase will allow for the hiring of a full time social worker to be located at the 911 Emergency Center. Residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis who call 911 will now be met with a trained trauma informed emergency response.
“Through working with Sheriff Figueroa, we are able to rightsize our jail in a way that will allow us to maintain the needed levels to keep officers and inmates safe while also saving the county over $1 million dollars in our upcoming budget,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “This change has allowed us to expand our Mobile Mental Health Team at a time when so many residents are struggling due to the impacts of COVID-19. At a time with so much uncertainty, it is imperative that we work together to deliver for our residents.”
“Protecting officers and inmates at the Ulster County Jail is our most important goal,” Sheriff Juan Figueroa said. “Working together we have found a solution that will accomplish that goal, save money for our taxpayers, and provide much needed mental health assistance. Teamwork on behalf of Ulster County residents is critical, especially in times of crisis.”
County Executive Pat Ryan will deliver his 2021 Executive Budget at Quimby Theater on the campus of SUNY Ulster on Thursday, October 1st at 11am.
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