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CD-CP Replication Sites : Clearwater, FL
Main ContactMelissa Hall – CDCP Coordinator from Directions for Mental Health,
Inc. Jim Colacicco, LCSW Lieutenant George Koder – CDCP Coordinator from Clearwater Police Participating Agencies
WebsiteProgram Goals
Program OverviewThe foundation of community policing is the establishment of constructive relationships among the various stakeholders in the community. The primary mission is to develop long term strategic plans that focus on quality of life and the positive growth of children, families and neighborhoods. The Clearwater Police Department has been at the forefront of community policing in the Tampa Bay region. In 1985, the first neighborhood community policing team and sub-station was opened. Now, twenty years later, seven community policing teams and a Hispanic outreach center exist operating in neighborhoods throughout the city. These community policing programs permit officers and the police department to witness the changes in the community and to pro-actively respond to the needs of the community. In 2001, the police department partnered with Directions for Mental Health
Inc., the Pinellas Juvenile Welfare Board, and Pinellas Safe Start to
establish a CD-CP program among community policing officers. The team
is able to respond to violent or traumatic events where children have
either been exposed or victimized via a 24/7 hotline referral number.
Officers train clinicians about police procedures during formal training
sessions and during ride-alongs in the field. Clinicians provide officers
with information about the effects of trauma/violence on children and
families. The clinical staff implements the clinical model of acute crisis
response developed at Yale and make referrals when extended clinical services
or other interventions are necessary. The team of mental health clinicians,
victim advocates and officers meet regularly in an effort to provide the
best possible solutions. StaffThe Clearwater team is composed of Clinician, Officers, Victim Advocate, and a Juvenile Specialist. Clinicians: Melissa Hall Clinicians work closely with their law enforcement partners to address physical and psychological safety of children who have witnessed or been victims of violence. They help children feel listened to and regain a sense of control. Clinicians and officers educate parents and children about emotional, cognitive and behavioral effects of violence on children and adults and ways parents can help their children. Clinicians assess children and their parents for signs that they are having difficulties functioning and/or exhibiting signs of posttraumatic stress. Clinicians with law enforcement provide brief intervention to help children and families handle the crisis and link to them to long term services. Officer Carlos Lang, a community policing officer, who has been able to connect with children outside the traditional policing model states, “It shows children that we can rescue them from a traumatic situation.” Louis Corona, a Victim Advocate, aids victims and families with crisis counseling by providing the necessary referrals to the various social service organizations. Louis also gives support to the family during the criminal justice process and refers families in need to the Bureau of Victim Compensation. Judy Smith, Juvenile Specialist, investigates runaway
juvenile reports in addition to providing guidance and referrals to children
and families in need of services. Often parents and their children are
at odds, Judy can provide the need referrals and advice to help families
and officers who respond invaluable information and insight. Judy also
serves as a back up to the Victim Advocate. |
