Behavioral Health Response Team 2022 Annual Report

BHRT Adds Medical Services In August, BHRT added a community health paramedic to the team with financial support from the state Support Team Assisted Response Grant the Greensboro Police Department received.

Included in the state budget adopted in July, the $330,000 grant allows the team to provide a counselor, police officer, and paramedic to jointly respond to mental health crises. The grant was part of a wider effort by the state to address increased behavioral health needs spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team’s first paramedic is Billie Silvera, a medic with Guilford County Emergency Medical Services Division who has an extensive history serving patients with behavioral health and developmental disabilities. BHRT now can triage crisis situations from a legal, mental health, and medical perspective.

New Team Oversight This year has been a time of change and transition for BHRT. The counselors on the team were originally managed under the City of Greensboro’s Office of Equity and Inclusion. In the fall of 2022, the counselors moved under the newly created Office of Community Safety, which will house a variety of teams dealing with larger community-facing safety work.

• For an urgent crisis, call 9-1-1 and request they send BHRT. Note that BHRT response is dependent on team availability. How to Receive BHRT Services

• Ask a Greensboro Police Officer to refer you to BHRT.

• Visit Police Headquarters at 100 Police Plaza and ask to speak to a BHRT counselor.

Behavioral Health Response Team OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY

OPERATING HOURS Monday through Friday 8 am to 10 pm

FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES 336-373-2295 | erin.williams@greensboro-nc.gov www.greensboro-nc.gov/BHRT