From McHenry County:
Police Social Work Program Honored with National Award
WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County has received a national accolade for its visionary Police Social Work program.
The National Association of Counties has honored McHenry County with an Achievement Award for the program, which supports police officers with full-time police social workers to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the county’s network of social service providers.
McHenry County’s program received the award in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety category, one of 18 categories created by the association to recognize county achievements.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition from the National Association of Counties.
“Our Police Social Work Program is a reflection of how law enforcement can evolve to
meet the needs of the community,” Sheriff Robb Tadelman said.
“By working alongside licensed social workers, our deputies are able to connect people in crisis with the help they need, whether they’re facing mental health struggles, substance use, or other challenges.
“This award speaks to the impact of that partnership and the dedication of everyone involved.”
Created in 2021, the Police Social Work Program shares six police social workers among 18 participating McHenry County law enforcement agencies to better connect residents with mental health resources; the six social workers and a clinical supervisor reports to an executive director.
Police social workers not only help respond to calls for service, but also follow up with clients after they have been connected with the services they are determined to need.
During the program’s first two years of operation, police social workers served 2,031 individuals throughout FY 2023 and 2,262 throughout FY 2024; at least 70% of clients had fewer police contacts after PSW involvement, and more than 73% displayed increased levels of functioning.
The Sheriff’s Office and the participating departments, as well as the Community Foundation for McHenry County that has generously donated space to run the program, have very much earned the honor, County Board Chairman Mike Buehler said.
Besides the Sheriff’s Office, participating police departments include
- Algonquin,
- Bull Valley,
- Cary,
- Crystal Lake,
- Crystal Lake Park District,
- Fox River Grove,
- Harvard,
- Johnsburg,
- Lakemoor,
- Lakewood,
- Marengo,
- McHenry County College,
- the McHenry County Conservation District,
- Oakwood Hills,
- Richmond,
- Spring Grove and
- Woodstock.
“Ask the chief of any participating police department – this program matters and gets results,” Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, said.
“It has improved outcomes and significantly reduced repeated responses, which frees police officers up to keep our communities safe.
“This recognition by our nationwide peers as a model program to follow is truly an honor.”
Founded 90 years ago, the National Association of Counties unites nearly 40,000 county officials and 3.6 million county employees in advocating for county government in federal policymaking, promoting exemplary county policies and practices, and optimizing county and taxpayer resources and cost savings.
This is the third Achievement Award that McHenry County has received from the National Association of Counties in the past decade.
McHenry County received an award in 2021 under the County Administration and Management category for
- its Coordinated Investment Study and
- the development of the County Coordinator position to pursue shared services and increased efficiencies by partnering with other local governments.
In 2015, the association recognized McHenry County’s decade of sustainability initiatives with an award in the County Resiliency category.
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Barrington Hills, Hebron, McHenry, Trout Valley and Union seem not to be participating.
