May 11, 2021

Crisis Response Teams Reduce Stigmas Around Mental Illness

For Crisis Response Specialist (CRS) Dominique Fortson-Jordan and Deputy Kara Geigle, every Monday is the start of a rewarding week helping citizens struggling with mental health issues. Together, they form a crisis response team that goes out to law enforcement calls for service that involve individuals who are in the midst of a mental health crisis. They work closely together four days a week on 10-hour shifts and respond to in-progress calls during peak hours from 1 to 11 p.m.   Dominque is one of the Mental Health Unit’s new members since it expanded last year. In 2016, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office created the Mental Health Unit to help decriminalize mental illness. While the unit previously focused on follow-up meetings, it has been re-organized to include more active call response teams and follow-up teams that have mental health professionals present.   Dominique brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience involving mental illness from her work in a psychiatric hospital, crisis stabilization unit at a state facility, and drug court. Her unique background combined with Deputy Geigle’s law enforcement training makes them an effective duo.   “I’m very happy that she is riding with me,” Deputy Geigle said. “It’s great to have someone knowledgeable in the mental health field. I know some things about mental health since I’ve been in the unit for more than two years, but I don’t have all the training and experience she has. I’ve learned so much from Dominique over the past few months.”   Typically, when a co-response team goes out to a call, the deputy assesses the situation first to ensure it is safe, and then the CRS steps in to evaluate the situation and ask questions. Together, the team determines whether or not the individual should be taken into custody under the Baker Act and what kinds of mental health services they could benefit from.   “I think the new program is excellent, and many of the people we work with are very grateful for the help,” Dominique said.   Recently, Deputy Geigle and Dominique responded to a call where a man was overdosing due to mixing prescription medication and alcohol. When they arrived, he was slurring his words and had difficulty communicating. To ensure his safety and care, Deputy Geigle and Dominique determined he should be Baker Acted, and he was transported to a medical facility.   The following week, they went back to his house and had a conversation with him about some of his struggles with mental illness and substance abuse. He had recently moved to the area from out of state and was disconnected from his therapist and had no health benefits. Deputy Geigle and Dominique connected him with a Pinellas Integrated Care (PIC) Team caseworker who helped him find a mental health counselor and receive substance abuse treatment.   “He was very motivated to work with the PIC Team and wanted to get back on track with his medications and treatment,” Deputy Geigle said. “Even though his family was very supportive and was doing their best to help him, they did not have any knowledge of the system in our county. We were very happy to be able to give him the right resources at the right time.” Deputy Geigle and Dominique say their biggest challenge is reducing the stigma around mental illness. Many people are afraid to admit they have a mental illness, and that is the first step they need to take to get help. Oftentimes, it’s a crisis that helps the person get motivated to seek treatment.   “I hope we are helping remove the stigma surrounding mental illness,” Dominique said. “People are seeing that deputies genuinely care, and we are here to help. I’m passionate about what I do because if I can help at least one person feel safe enough to go get help, it’s all worth it.”

One Step Closer to Homeownership

Public Safety Telecommunicator Asia Snipes began her journey to homeownership with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties earlier this year, and she is quickly approaching the day she can move in with her two daughters, Amari and Alana.    In the first phase of the process, Asia got her finances in order by saving money and removing debt, and she turned in all the necessary paperwork to get approved for a home loan. Once approved, she completed the mandatory educational classes and started working on accumulating sweat equity hours, which include doing community service and taking additional educational courses.   Some of the volunteer opportunities she has participated in were working on another family’s Habitat for Humanity home and serving at the Valspar Golf Championship. Her daughters have also been contributing by getting good grades in school, which count as sweat equity hours.   Today, Asia has more than 300 sweat equity hours completed, and she is close to reaching the required number of 350. While Asia has been working toward this goal, she has also been moving forward with the home construction process.   On February 26th, Habitat for Humanity sent Asia a list of lots to choose from. Initially, she had some concerns about the locations, so she spoke with Senior Vice President of Programs Jack Shanks to learn more about the available lots.    “Jack called me and asked if I had driven down to the area,” she said. “He said there was one place he had in mind for me, and that it was in a safe community. So I went down there and looked and thought, ‘wow, it’s really nice out here.’ I also talked to the woman who lived next door with her two daughters who are the same ages as mine, and she made me feel more comfortable with the choice. I feel like it was a godsend talking to her because I wanted to be 100% sure my girls were going to be living in a safe area.”   Once Asia chose the lot on March 9th, the Habitat for Humanity construction team started building the home. Asia was able to make a few customizations, including the color of the roof, color of the siding, and the kitchen counter tops. During the construction, Asia has been routinely driving by the house to check on its progress, and her daughters have even picked out their rooms.   “The house is really well built, and I feel thrilled that I don’t have to worry about having any issues with it,” she said. “We get to make it our own now.”   Habitat for Humanity expects the house to be completed by the end of June, and Asia and her girls are excited for the day when they can receive the keys and officially move into their own space.   To learn more or volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, click here.

Please join us on Facebook live tomorrow at 11 a.m. as we remember fallen Pinellas County law enforcement officers. This year, for the first time in Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office history, the name of a deputy will be included as we remember Deputy Michael J. Magli.  Click here to stay updated on the details of this virtual event.

Job Feature: Public Information Office Specialist

The Public Information Specialist is responsible for preparing news releases, articles, speeches, scripts for agency videos, and program proposals to inform the community about public safety and recent incidents. This position also serves as a liaison between the sheriff’s office and local and national media. This role is considered essential and may be required to respond in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. To learn more about this position and apply,  click here. 

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