In a concerted effort to support individuals facing mental health challenges, county agencies in Northeast Arkansas have joined forces to establish the Human Anti-Trafficking Recovery Team. This collaborative venture involves the active participation of the Jonesboro Police Department, the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, and a local health agency, with a primary focus on enhancing the quality of mental health services within the community.
Members of the Human Anti-Trafficking Recovery Team convened on Tuesday, March 12, to explore strategies for addressing mental health issues, substance abuse problems, and homelessness in Craighead County.
Kimberly Boyett, the Director of Crisis and Forensic Services for Arisa Health, emphasized the collective pursuit of a common goal during the meeting, stating, “What we’re trying to do here is work towards a common goal which is to get people in our community the help that they need.”
Boyett expressed confidence in the program’s potential to make a significant impact on individuals’ lives, particularly during community tragedies. She highlighted the team’s readiness to mobilize and provide comprehensive support for families, officers, dispatchers, and others affected by such incidents.
The overarching objective of the initiative is to ensure that community members receive the necessary assistance, thereby diverting them from involvement in the criminal justice system. Deputy Sheriff and CIT Coordinator for Craighead County, Jeania Byrd, stressed the program’s role in offering valuable resources and knowledge to aid those in need.
Byrd stated, “I myself have gained so many resources and knowledge of how I can help people. If you need to sign up for Medicare or Medicaid, we can help get that done.”
The collaborative effort also includes crisis prevention training for officers, equipping them with the skills to connect individuals in crisis with mental health professionals. JPD Assistant Chief Lynn Waterworth emphasized the importance of understanding how to provide help beyond simply arresting individuals, stating, “Just having a better understanding of how we can help not just take that person to jail but take that person somewhere they can get help.”
The Craighead County HART team plans to convene monthly to continually assess and enhance the quality of mental health services in the community. In times of tragedy, the team remains available to offer support to families, officers, dispatchers, and other involved parties.
Waterworth underscored the significance of addressing the mental well-being of officers, recognizing its impact on their ability to assist others. He stated, “It’s very important for us to address the mental wellbeing of our officers because if we’re in a better place then it puts us in a better place to help others.”
