Council renews MOU funding a full-time police social worker; chief cites client successes

Delaware City Council unanimously approved Resolution 25-73 on Sept. 22 to renew an existing memorandum of understanding with the Delaware Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board that funds a full-time social worker in the police department.

Chief Adam Moore described the program's work and shared an excerpt from an internal message summarizing recent outcomes: a grandmother reported that family members who were referred to the social worker and to treatment had become stable — "I want you all to know that what you are doing here works," the chief quoted from the social worker's message.

Moore told council the current agreement runs through the end of 2025 and that the mental health board is aligning its funding with the city's budget year; the city expects to return in early 2026 with an MOU timed to the board's fiscal year. Moore and council members discussed whether the program could be expanded if sustainable funding were available; Moore said he would not oppose a second full-time social worker but emphasized the need for long-term funding so that the city would not hire staff it could later be forced to lay off.

Council members asked how much of police calls involve underlying mental-health or addiction issues. Moore said he could not give an exact percentage but that such conditions are underlying factors in a "large, large number" of calls and that the average police call in the city runs about 32 minutes. He argued that connecting people to long-term supports reduces repeated calls for service, improves outcomes for individuals, and reduces cost to the city.

The resolution passed by roll call. The MOU renewal covers a short term now so the mental health board can align its fiscal timing with the city's budget calendar; staff said a longer-term agreement for 2026 funding likely will return to council after the first of the year.