First responders' tool to help people with disabilities

Special Needs Registry designed to supply additional information

By: Suzanne Russell
MyCentralJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... When first responders are called in an emergency, everyone involved wants the best possible outcome.
..... Middlesex County has introduced a tool aimed at securing positive results in police and emergency responses. The Special Needs Registry is a free, voluntary program designed to provide first responders with supplemental information that can be sued to assist people with disabilities.
..... Middlesex County Prosecutors Yolanda Cicccone said the program, open to those with disabilities who live, work or attend school in the county, is an outgrowth of a mental health services initiative started in 2020.
..... "The idea is that if someone in your household has any type of special need, whether that be a mental health issue or health issue of any kind 0 if someone is using oxygen, someone in the home has cardiac problems or dialysis, any of those medical things - or someone in the home is neurodivergent, this is a voluntary program that allows you to register with your local police department, first responders and so when they might find in the home," Ciccone said.
..... The registry, which was slated to launch March 8, [2024] helps first responders better assist people in distress.
..... "Our goal is not to invade anyone's privacy but just allow another level of comfort that when that need or emergency arises, the right help can get there as soon as possible," Cicoone said.

How the Special Needs Registry Works

..... Registration will be available at all local police departments in Middlesex County.
..... In addition to standard contact information, registrants will be asked to provide a photo and list disabilities such as autism, diabetes, mental health disorder and impaired mobility.
..... The form asks about any life-threating medical concerns, such as if an EpiPen is needed and where it is stored in the home, any triggers which affect methods to sue and the est ways to communicate with the registrant.
..... The information will be kept confidential and only used by first responders during an emergency.
..... "Autism New Jersey commends Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, First Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Kuberiet, and the assembled team at the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office for taking the led in establishing a county-wide Special Needs Registry," Dr. Suzanne Buchanan, Autism New Jersey executive director, said in a statement
..... "We have been proud to partner on the development of their registry and look forward to continued collaboration with their offices and Prosecutors' Office statewide to fulfill the intent of all special needs registries: the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable members of our community."
..... Autism New Jersey also has launched a Law Enforcement Initiative led by former Union county first Assistant Prosecutor Doreen Yanik, to increase the adoption of autism-friendly law enforcement practices, including registries, by collaborating with individuals and entities in law enforcement at the municipal, count and state levels.

Helping law enforcement respond appropriately

..... The Middlesex County Special Needs registry is intend to work with the ARIVE Together program, which pairs plainclothes officers with mental health experts. ARIVE, or Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation, has been deployed in Edison, Highland Park, New Brunswick, Piscataway, Plainsboro, South Brunswick and Woodbridge. Ciccone said that program is expanding statewide.
..... "So you take ARRIVE and then you have this information about the household; we are able to really respond to the community in a way that increases the quail of life and helps a better interaction with law enforcement and people in general who are offering services," the prosecutors said, noting eight homicides in Middlesex County last year [2023] were connected to a mental health crisis.
..... Ciccone said the Special Needs Registry also goes together with the county's Safe Place program, an anti-bullying initiative launched last year [2023] in which businesses and homes can display a sticker designating them as a safe place for someone being bullied or victimize to stay until police arrive.
..... She said the program are aimed at wrapping around members of the community so that they understand law enforcement is sensitive to their needs and want to respond appropriately.
..... Kuberiet, the first assistant prosecutor, said Ciccone has made enhancing law enforcement's interaction with the community and attempts to reduce the number of negative police encounters a priority.
..... And that's why information provided through a Special Needs Registry is valuable.

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