VOA Northern Rockies, in a pioneering partnership with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Laramie Police Department, and the University of Wyoming Police Department, is excited to launch the Albany Care Team Program (ACT). This innovative initiative marks a transformative mental health crisis management approach in Albany County.

“VOA Northern Rockies is grateful to be able to work with cities and communities like Laramie who are striving to make a positive impact in mental health crisis management. We are committed to providing a positive impact to vulnerable members of the communities we serve,” says Heath Steel, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer of VOA Northern Rockies.

Revolutionizing Community Mental Health Response – The Albany Care Team Program is an unprecedented effort in the region, designed to address mental health crises with a specialized, compassionate approach. This collaboration illustrates the commitment of all involved agencies towards a community-centric model of crisis intervention, combining the expertise of law enforcement with the care and understanding of mental health professionals.

“We’re seeing a growing number of people in Laramie with mental health-related needs. I believe the ACT program will be an important step, in addition to what law enforcement is already doing, toward addressing those needs in a positive and effective manner. It’s important that individuals in crisis, as well as their families, feel supported in our community. I’m excited to be part of this new program and be able to help provide that support,” Heather Wiseman, Community Crisis Case Manager, VOA Northern Rockies

A Collaborative Effort for Community Betterment – “We are really excited to implement this (ACT) for the diverse community we have,” said Chief Josh Holland, University of Wyoming Police.

This program is a testament to the longstanding and robust relationships among VOA Northern Rockies, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, City of Laramie Police Department, and the University of Wyoming Police Department. The partnership leverages the strengths of each organization, fostering a unified response to mental health crises proven in programs such as the Gatekeeping program and the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).

Brian Browne, Chief of Police, Laramie Police Department said, “The Albany County Care Team is truly a collaborative effort involving our law enforcement partners and stakeholders in our mental health care community. This collaboration allowed us to reimagine the way we’re responding to mental crisis calls and providing mental health services in Albany County. The program was uniquely developed to serve the needs of our community. This team further illustrates our goal of providing exceptional service to the citizens of Laramie and Albany County.”

Empowering the Community Through Engagement – Community involvement is a cornerstone of the Albany Care Team Program. VOA Northern Rockies encourages residents to learn more about the program, understand its impact, and explore ways to support or get involved. “One of the big highlights for the ACT program is to provide (mental health) support and guidance without them having to enter the court system…and hopefully this fills the gap with those individuals,” added Jennifer Curran, Deputy Albany County & Prosecuting Attorney.

About the Program – Under the terms of the MOU, the program outlines financial commitments, operational responsibilities, and the collaborative framework. It emphasizes the provision of specialized training for law enforcement and mental health professionals, ensuring an empathetic and informed response to mental health-related calls.

“This program is a direct result of four agencies identifying a need in the community and having a desire to collaborate to identify a potential solution.  We look for this pilot program to inform us what adjustments are needed and how we can best serve our at-risk individuals in Albany County. We live in a supportive and vibrant community that is focused on increasing the level of support for a variety of individuals. I am honored to work and live in a community where three law enforcement agencies are eager to partner with a community mental health agency to serve!” states Christin Covello, Sr. Director of Clinical Services for Albany and Laramie Counties.

Join Us in This Pioneering Journey – The Albany Care Team Program is a call to action for community solidarity and compassion in addressing mental health challenges. VOA Northern Rockies and its partners invite you to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative. For more information on how to get involved or support the program, please contact VOA Northern Rockies at 307.745.8915

For Further Information, Please Contact: VOA Northern Rockies at 307.672.0475 or inform@voanr.org