Bergen County Secures $149,300 ARRIVE Together Grant to Enhance Mental Health Crisis Response

Hackensack, NJ — The Bergen County Board of Commissioners are proud to announce that the County has been awarded a $149,300 grant through the New Jersey ARRIVE Together program, an initiative overseen by the Office of the Attorney General. This funding will strengthen Bergen County’s ability to respond compassionately and effectively to mental health crises by integrating trained mental health professionals into law enforcement operations.

As part of a $3.5 million statewide initiative, Bergen County’s allocation underscores its leadership in innovative approaches to behavioral health emergencies. This initiative ensures that law enforcement professionals have the tools and support necessary to respond to high-stakes situations with the utmost care.

This grant will fund the expansion of Bergen County’s existing partnerships with CBH Care and CarePlus NJ, ensuring the continued availability of vital mental health resources. It will also support training and deployment efforts to enhance the implementation of the ARRIVE Together model, which complements Bergen County’s existing Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program. Currently, 20 municipalities in Bergen County participate in the ARRIVE Together initiative, serving approximately 350,000 residents. In November alone, 45 individuals received services—the highest number recorded in a single month since the program’s inception.

“This grant reaffirms Bergen County’s commitment to innovative approaches that prioritize public safety while addressing mental health challenges in our community,” said Bergen County Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz. “It’s vital that we equip our law enforcement teams with the resources needed to de-escalate tense situations and provide the appropriate care for those in crisis.”

“By including mental health professionals in our law enforcement operations, we are taking a proactive approach that focuses on how we manage mental health crises,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. “With the help of this grant, the County will continue to be one of the safest counties in the nation, and enhance public safety by addressing the real needs of our residents while ensuring our law enforcement officers have the support they need to serve our communities safely and effectively.”

“Bergen County continues to equip law enforcement with essential tools to respond to mental health crises effectively, humanely, and – most importantly – in a manner that can ensure everyone’s safety,” said Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.  He continued, “Funding like this provides a system that meets our county’s residents where they are, ensuring they receive the right care at the right time, while fostering stronger, safer communities thanks to collaboration through a law enforcement and mental health alternative response program.”

The ARRIVE Together program was developed to address a critical need across New Jersey. In 2020, two out of every three uses of force by law enforcement involved individuals suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues, with over half of all fatal police encounters occurring under similar circumstances. The program is designed to reduce these incidents by ensuring that residents in crisis have access to appropriate care rather than escalating encounters.