Franklin County Recognizes Co-Responders During National Week

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Franklin County Commissioners have officially recognized the week of September 14, 2025, as National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week. This proclamation serves to acknowledge the critical work of professionals who help individuals experiencing mental health crises, aiming to steer them towards community-based support rather than through the criminal justice system. The county is encouraging residents to understand and appreciate the services these individuals provide.

Mental health challenges can often lead to difficult situations such as homelessness, increased interaction with law enforcement, incarceration, and emergency room visits. These outcomes are generally more intrusive and costly for both individuals and the community compared to early intervention through local behavioral health services. Recognizing this, Franklin County implemented a Mental Health Co-Responder Program. This initiative embeds mental health professionals with law enforcement agencies to enable a collaborative response to individuals in crisis. The goal is to provide timely and appropriate intervention, thereby preventing arrests, unnecessary emergency room visits, and repeated calls to 911 by connecting individuals with necessary resources.

Since its inception in May 2017, the co-responder program, involving the Chambersburg, Greencastle, Washington Township, and Waynesboro police departments, along with Franklin County probation and the public defender’s office, has assisted over 2,500 individuals through more than 13,000 interactions. A significant outcome of this program is that approximately 90% of the individuals served have not had further contact with law enforcement. Initial funding for this program was provided by a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and it continues to operate with support from the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, as well as the Chambersburg and Waynesboro police departments.

These co-responders operate in close collaboration not only within their respective law enforcement agencies but also with the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services, the county’s adult and juvenile probation departments, the Franklin County Jail, Keystone Health, and various human service agencies. This integrated approach ensures a comprehensive network of support for individuals in need.

The proclamation by the Franklin County Commissioners highlights the significant impact these co-responders and crisis responders have in connecting individuals facing mental health challenges with vital behavioral health resources. This diversion from the criminal justice system, as noted by Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst, helps to reduce the burden on courts and correctional facilities, allowing law enforcement to concentrate on other essential public safety duties.

Residents in Franklin County are encouraged to learn more about the services offered by these dedicated professionals. For those experiencing a crisis or requiring immediate assistance, help is available around the clock. The Keystone Health Crisis Intervention Program can be reached at 717-264-2555, and walk-in services are available at local emergency rooms. Additionally, the National Suicide Lifeline is accessible by calling or texting 988.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Franklin County.

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