New jersey awards grants for community crisis response initiatives — Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America â€“ September 6, 2016. Interior view of the New Jersey State House in Trenton, NJ. View of the rotunda with architectural details. File Photo by Zeytun Photos.

TRENTON, NJ—Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin have announced the recipients of grants aimed at establishing Community Crisis Response Teams (CCRT) in several New Jersey cities. These grants, part of the Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act, will provide up to $2 million each to organizations in Camden City, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton.

The funded organizations include the Center for Family Services in Camden, Newark Community Street Team, Reimagining Justice Inc./Paterson Healing Collective’s Paterson Compassionate Care Collaborative Project, and Salvation and Social Justice in Trenton. These groups were chosen through a competitive grant process among municipalities and community-based organizations.

The CCRT initiative was launched under the Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act, signed into law in January. Named after Najee Seabrooks and Andrew Washington, who both died in police encounters during mental health crises, the Act aims to bridge gaps in mental and behavioral health services in vulnerable communities.

Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of these teams in providing necessary support in mental health crises, highlighting the state’s commitment to protect rather than punish those in crisis. This initiative builds on existing programs such as the ARRIVE Together project and various violence intervention and diversionary programs, totaling over $138.8 million in state and federal funding.

CCRTs are designed to offer an alternative to traditional emergency responses, providing a trusted source of help for those who may hesitate to engage with conventional law enforcement and emergency services.

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