ASHEVILLE, NC – Nearly a year ago, Vaya Health and the Roxboro Police Department formed a partnership to launch the Co-Responder Pilot Program in Person County to enhance safety and efficiency in responding to mental health crises throughout the community. By embedding a behavioral health specialist alongside law enforcement, the program has significantly improved crisis intervention outcomes while reducing repeat calls and unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests.
Resulting from funding through a Bipartisan Safer Communities Act grant administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the two-year plan to implement a Law Enforcement Crisis Counselor to co-respond to certain emergency calls in Person County began in June 2024.
By securing this competitive grant, Vaya has helped manage three agencies in Person County to receive services from a co-responder: Roxboro Police Department, Person County Sheriff’s Office, and Person County EMS.
The Co-Responder Pilot Program includes an evaluation of the startup, implementation, and outcomes for each co-responder team site. Based on results of the pilot, NCDHHS’ goal is to continue to expand co-responder services across the state.
Since launching, the program has trained 100% of sworn Person County officers in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certification, ICAT de-escalation training, and the BolaWRAP handheld remote restraint device that helps officers safely and effectively manage individuals in crisis in police encounters.
Steven Webb, the program’s behavioral health professional, responded to 41 service calls involving 21 individuals. He successfully de-escalated crises for nine individuals, and 66% of those receiving services were able to remain in their homes without the need for arrest or involuntary commitment.
Additionally, Webb completed 20 follow-up visits, ensuring long-term care connections through partnerships with organizations including Person Memorial Hospital, the Person County Department of Social Services, Roxboro Housing Authority, Freedom House Recovery, Roxboro Family Medical and Dental, The Christian Help Center, Easter Seals UCP, and multiple independently owned supervised living facilities.
“The Co-Responder Pilot Program is designed to produce safer outcomes for those in crisis by using non-law enforcement personnel to deflect or divert individuals to appropriate resources,” said Roxboro Police Chief David Hess.” Helping a family’s loved one get the resources they need—without escalating the event with a uniformed police presence—has significantly increased trust and built empathy in our service model. Building trust, preserving life, and serving our community with empathy demonstrates our commitment to producing safer outcomes.”
Building trust is worth it but can take time. In 2023, local officers responded to 85 mental health-related calls. In 2024, that number slightly decreased to 80, while the average time spent on these calls increased from 34 minutes to nearly 51 minutes.
This increase in call time reflects officers’ trust in utilizing Webb, who has been instrumental in de-escalating incidents and connecting individuals to appropriate resources.
“Thanks to our many community partners and their continued collaboration with the Roxboro Police Department, the Co-Responder Pilot Program has been a vital addition to the Person County community,” said Tracy Hayes, Area Director and CEO of Vaya Health. “It’s inspiring to see the impact this program has had over the last few months, and to learn about the positive effect the program has had for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis who interact with law enforcement. We are thrilled to offer this vital program to our valuable law enforcement partners.”
With a reduction in repeat crisis calls and strong collaboration among community partners, the Co-Responder Pilot Program has been a crucial step in modernizing crisis intervention strategies in North Carolina. Vaya Health remains committed to expanding and refining the program to ensure even greater success in the years ahead.
About Vaya Health
Vaya Health is a specialty managed care organization and local government agency that oversees publicly funded health care services across a 32-county region of North Carolina for people with significant behavioral health needs, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. Vaya manages Medicaid, federal, state, and local funding to meet member and community needs while advancing whole-person health. Together with members, contracted providers, and local partners, we’re moving forward to a healthier North Carolina. Vaya Health can be found online at vayahealth.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/VayaHealth/, on X (formerly known as Twitter) @VayaHealth, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/vaya-health.
