WINONA, Minn. – The City Council unanimously approved a three-year contract for mental-health experts to handle emergency calls that they’re better trained to handle than police. On call from Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Centers will be two professionals. Police Chief Williams said the mental health experts, called an “alternate response team,” will be able to call police for back-up when necessary. The specialized responders structure has Williams’ support: “Although we do a phenomenal job as a department dealing with mental health issues and substance abuse issues, we just don’t have the time and we don’t have the ability to do case follow-up.” The contract runs $350,000 a year.
