Grant awarded to collaborative crisis response program between SMA Healthcare and Daytona Beach Police.

Written by Anthony Bicy

Belden Communications News

The SMA Healthcare Foundation is proud to announce that Macy's has donated $10,000 towards the collaborative crisis response program between SMA Healthcare and the Daytona Beach Police Department, known as the Virtual Mental Health Crisis Response Team.

“Community is at the heart of our Macy’s team, and giving back is in our DNA,” said Kristen Twomey, store manager of Macy’s. “We are honored to provide support to such an incredible organization, whose impactful work plays a vital role in strengthening and enriching our community.”

The program will use the funds to buy iPads for First Responders to have as a resource to respond to non-criminal emergency 911 calls, to reduce confrontations involving police officers, save money and potentially lives, allowing police to concentrate on law enforcement. Jennifer Stephenson, Senior Director of Outpatient Services, and Mellonese Mayfield, Director of Crisis Response Team, met with police officers to provide additional information about the SMA Crisis Response Team, which will play an essential role in the program.  

“I am extremely excited about this new initiative and partnership with SMA Healthcare,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young. “These iPads will allow us to provide immediate access to a mental health professional for those in our community experiencing a mental health crisis. Our officers now have another problem-solving tool that will allow us to better assist our community. I want to express our sincere gratitude to Macy’s for the purchase of these iPads and to SMA Healthcare for providing the expertise that will save lives.”