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Pulse social‑work program details outreach model; borough says opioid‑settlement funds will continue support
Summary
Pulse presented the social‑work outreach model used with police referrals, reported early data on contacts and reductions in use‑of‑force in another jurisdiction, and the borough manager said opioid settlement funds will fund the contract through 2026.
Representatives of Pulse, the borough’s social‑work outreach program working alongside the Red Bank Police Department, described their model Tuesday and asked the council to continue supporting data tracking and community partnerships.
Pulse presenters said their approach is to accept referrals from officers, assess individual needs, and provide follow‑up rather than one‑off ride‑alongs. One presenter reported that in the program’s first year in a different jurisdiction “the rate of use of force went down by 47%,” and presenters said they make more than 600 family contacts in a year and spend more than 12 hours per week in Red Bank conducting outreach. They listed community partners that help with shelter, food, medical and behavioral‑health referrals.
During questions, council members and social‑service providers praised the program’s integration with police operations, and several elected officials described situations where Pulse’s follow‑up prevented repeated crisis calls. The borough manager told the council that "the funding for the Pulse contract comes through opioid settlement money" and that the borough intends to continue that funding through 2026.
Presenters asked the council what specific outcome metrics it would like tracked; staff said they will provide the presentation and work with Pulse on reporting format and timing.
