Winston Salem Times

Rep. Kathy Manning recently visited Fire Station 19 in Winston-Salem, N.C. to celebrate the allocation of $700,000 in federal funding to expand the BEAR Team program. The BEAR Team, which was established as a pilot program in 2023, focuses on providing alternative responses to non-violent mental health, domestic disputes, and substance abuse calls.

Manning, instrumental in securing the funding, highlighted the importance of the program in addressing community needs. She stated, “Winston-Salem’s BEAR Team puts crisis counselors on the scene of mental health and substance abuse emergencies, ensuring that community members in need get appropriate care while allowing law enforcement officers to remain focused on public safety matters.”

The newly allocated funds will be utilized to hire four additional crisis counselors, bringing the total staff count to 11 individuals. These counselors are strategically stationed at fire stations across the city with high volumes of mental health-related calls, providing round-the-clock availability.

Since its inception, the BEAR Team has responded to 1,800 calls made to 911 between May 15, 2023, and January 30, 2024. In addition to emergency responses, team members collaborate with street outreach teams and other agencies to support various community needs such as helping relocate homeless individuals, providing crisis counseling, and offering additional resources and follow-up services.

For those seeking more information about the BEAR Team, additional details can be found on the City of Winston-Salem’s official website at www.cityofws.org/3400.