Bucks County’s newest Human Services Co-Responder is now working out of three police departments in Central Bucks County, helping to connect in-need residents with social services and divert them away from the criminal justice system.
Based out of the Warrington Township Police Department, Katrina Mattioni started working June 5 with officers in Warrington, Warwick and Warminster townships.
Co-responders are social workers who work collaboratively with police and social services agencies to serve people who come into contact with police who are in need of social services.
With the addition of Mattioni to the co-responders’ team, County social workers are now working alongside police in 18 departments covering Upper, Central and Lower Bucks. Mattioni was hired at a salary of $59,000.
Photo from left to right: Rachael Neff, Bucks County Human Services Director, Warrington Lt. Glen Gottenberg, Warwick Lt. John Ogborn, Warrington Chief Dan Friel and Warminster Chief James Donnelly. Front row from left to right: Katrina Mattioni, Co-Responder and Ivone Kovalsky, Human Services Community Engagement Officer.
“It is a testament to the amazing job done every day by the people in our Human Services Division that we have managed in just three years to bring the Co-Responder Program to all regions of Bucks County,” said Commissioner Vice Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia. “We are incredibly thankful to our Co-Responders for the important work they do, and to our police officers and municipal leaders for welcoming these important efforts into their communities.”
The co-responders have served more than 1,100 people since the program started in late 2020. Most referrals are for mental health.
Media Contact: James O’Malley, 215-348.6414, jtomalley@buckscounty.org