On July 13, 2020, the
Cheltenham Police Department announced
its partnership with The Abington Police Department in HUB, a program that
will enable the police department to deliver valuable social services in
a more proficient and effective manner.
The Abington Police Department formed its HUB back in 2015 and it has
been very successful. The HUB model aims to assist and care for at-
risk community members who are struggling before they reach a crisis
point, and to provide outreach and linkages to care for individuals at
acutely elevated risk of harm, crime and /or death. The model is
designed to increase collaboration, reduce calls for service, and most
importantly, improve access to care for those struggling with substance
use disorders, mental health concerns, and a variety of other risk
factors.
This innovative model mobilizes public and private resources and social
service agencies already in place to address specific situations before
an emergency occurs. In short, the HUB brings together, in the same room
and on a regular schedule, a wide variety of public and private social
service agencies to assess and respond to community members who are at a
higher risk of harm, crime and/or death.
How HUB Works
The police department and/or participating social service agency will
identify those persons within our community that are at a higher risk of
harm, crime and/or death for a variety of reasons. At a regularly
scheduled meeting of private and public social service agencies the case
will initially and deliberately be brought up in a way that keeps the
community member’s identity anonymous.
If a consensus is reached that the community member is in need of
services, the applicable social service agency or agencies will be
provided with the relevant information and contact with the community
member will be coordinated and mobilized with the intent to provide that
person with the best available service and care. The community member
will have the ability to accept or deny services.
At the next meeting of The HUB a follow up report will be provided to
ensure services were made available to community member and to evaluate
if additional services can and should be provided.
If you or someone you know can benefit from this program, contact Sergeant David Sparango at [email protected] or (215) 885-1600 ext. 971.