The Westland City Council voted to approve a professional services agreement with Higuera Health Inc. to provide social‑worker services for the Westland Police Department, the council said during its meeting.

Councilwoman Maria Rakowski moved the contract approval, which the council adopted without recorded dissent. The contract would commence immediately and run through Sept. 30, 2025.

The social‑worker role supports officers responding to behavioral‑health and substance‑use incidents and provides in‑station services, Deputy Chief (name not specified) told the council. “She currently offers behavioral health clinician, master's‑level services, where she talks to people after issues happen,” the deputy chief said, and added that the social worker “also responds and does court response with the police out on the road” and helps people with substance‑use disorders.

Council members praised the partnership. Councilman Delano Hornbuckle and Councilman Wishart each described the arrangement as a long‑standing, beneficial program that places a behavioral‑health clinician on‑site at the police department to provide immediate referrals and follow up for people booked into custody.

A Higuera Health representative, Roxanne Green, attended the meeting and was introduced by police staff as available to answer further questions. The council did not discuss a dollar amount in the meeting packet for the one‑year extension.

Supporters said the arrangement reduces the need for officers to handle situations that primarily require behavioral‑health expertise and allows the department to offer same‑day referrals. Council members said the social‑worker is often physically located at the police department and can “hop in a car and go do a ride along” or respond to calls when requested.

The council approved the contract by voice vote; the mayor or council president announced the motion passed.