Listen Now: Morning News

Martinsburg PD will now have full-time social worker

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A partnership between The Martinsburg Initiative and the Martinsburg Police Department is leading to some innovative staffing.

Martinsburg Police Chief George Swartwood

On Tuesday, Martinsburg Police Chief George Swartwood announced the department will now have access to a full-time social worker, Noel Canellas, who will go on some calls with police and will also make referrals for continuing help to community members who have suffered trauma or who have been affected by addiction.

“The goal of this proposal is for The Martinsburg Initiative to increase the number of referrals for services for children and families from the police and provide support for the Handle with Care program,” Swartwood said.

The effort is aimed at decreasing the number of deaths from substance abuse as well as decreasing the number of repeat calls to households where mental health issues are present.

“To provide a listening ear for the police department,” Swartwood explained. “Someone that can go as a social worker to intervene on some of these cases, to be of assistance when we’re going time after time after time to the same individuals – to have someone else go along to lend their expertise and let the individuals know what services are out there in the county and the state that they can provide.”

Canellas is uniquely qualified, according to the Swartwood. “She’s tremendous. She comes from a background steeped in social work and social service with TMI. She’s also got a law enforcement background. She knows what we can and cannot do.”

Swartwood said Canellas can make “real-time intervention” and follow up with a referral or other information by the next day.

“The city of Martinsburg did not have to spend one dime,” Swartwood said of the new staffing position.

The Martinsburg Initiative will be funding the social worker’s salary through grants.

Swartwood said it’s ‘cutting edge’ as the only appointment is the only one like it in the Panhandle. It’s also a game changer in its potential to decrease substance abuse use and substance abuse deaths, as well as repetitive calls for service.

Lastly, as part of the mission of TMI, Swartwood hopes the addition of the extra help will “reduce the traumatic impact of childhood trauma.”

The appointment is awaiting the signing of a formal MOU and waivers, but Swartwood said he had the blessings of city officials to make the announcement on Panhandle Live Tuesday on MetroNews affiliates WEPM and WCST.





More News

News
MetroNews This Morning 3-28-24
Summary of West Virginia news/sports/weather for Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024 - 6:25 am
News
PSC approves settlements involving Mon Power, net-metering cases
Rate increase went into effect Tuesday.
March 27, 2024 - 9:42 pm
News
Speakers at Focus Forward symposium discuss AI capabilities in West Virginia
The event was organized by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
March 27, 2024 - 8:30 pm
News
Justice vetoes vaccination exemption bill, draws praise from healthcare groups
Educational and healthcare organizations banded together to urge a veto.
March 27, 2024 - 6:35 pm