FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Abbey Webb, Press Secretary
Abbey.Webb@iga.in.gov
317-234-3560
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 25, 2024) — A bill authored by State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) to create a statewide grant program to support community mental health response passed the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services unanimously.
Senate Bill 10 would establish the Community Cares Initiative creating a pilot grant program to help communities improve paramedicine resources to address local mental health needs. This proposal is modeled after the City of Noblesville’s innovative NobleACT program that Mayor Chris Jensen launched in 2020 to strengthen community-based response to mental health and substance abuse challenges.
Since its creation, the NobleACT program has responded to over 6,000 calls for help to appropriately address issues like housing, mental health episodes, challenges associated with aging and premature birth, and addiction issues with the help of a crisis intervention specialist on staff and K-9 therapy dogs Luna, Carbon, and Sadie.
With a background in the military and law enforcement, Baldwin understands the need for mental health services across the state.
"The success of NobleACT underscores the need for proactive approaches like the Community Cares Initiative to address mental health and substance abuse issues and get individuals the help they need," Baldwin said. “As a retired police officer, I've seen firsthand the challenges of untreated mental health in our communities. This bill helps to shift public safety and EMS response from reactive to proactive with a more thoughtful approach to reducing calls for service and helping Hoosiers get the assistance they need without calling 911 multiple times. I'm committed to advancing this vital effort in the Senate.”
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and Noblesville Public Safety Director Chad Knecht testified in support of SB 10 in committee.
“Through NobleACT, we’ve seen the need for and impact of a dedicated community response to mental health and substance abuse challenges in our city,” Jensen said. “The Community Cares Initiative will help other communities create similar programs to equip first responders to address these issues, ensure struggling members of the community are getting connected to resources and support, and ultimately help save lives.”
Mobile integrated health care programs and mobile crisis teams are comprised of peers and behavioral health professionals who are trained and skilled in responding to anyone experiencing mental health-related distress.
Senate Bill 10 unanimously passed committee and will move to Senate Committee on Appropriations for further consideration. To learn more about this bill, click here.
-30-
State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) represents Senate District 20,
which includes Noblesville, Carmel, Cicero and unincorporated areas of Hamilton County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
