Jersey City is making significant progress toward launching a mental health crisis response program, having secured $2 million in statewide funding. The grant is named after Andrew Washington and Najee Seabrooks, both of whom were tragically killed by police during mental health crises.In January of this year, when Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act into law, Jersey City originally did not secure a grant to establish community crisis response teams to handle mental health emergencies.The city’s second attempt at funding, which was ultimately awarded, was thanks to the efforts of the Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County and its Executive Director Pam Johnson.Ward E Councilmember James Solomon expressed gratitude for the coalition’s work, noting that their first application was denied due to a poor submission by an external firm. “We are extremely grateful to Ms. Johnson, as well as the family of the late Andrew Washington, who have been critical partners in developing the kind of mental health first-response program our city needs. Mr. Washington’s death should never have happened – and it is my hope that, with this program and more community-minded, common-sense reforms, it will never happen again,” hed said.Ward F Councilmember Frank “Educational” Gilmore echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of bringing a much-needed mental health intervention program to Jersey City. “This funding will address a significant gap in the fight for mental health awareness and intervention.”He credited community partners, like Jersey City Together, for their persistence in advocating for change.Johnson is looking forward to implementing a community-centered crisis response program, something she says Jersey City has been needing for a long time.“With this funding, we can offer compassionate, nonviolent mental health intervention to residents in their most vulnerable moments, preventing the tragedies we’ve seen in the past,” she said. “Our success is a testament to the hard work of our team, the support from Councilmembers Solomon and Gilmore, and the resilience of Andrew Washington’s family, who have been steadfast advocates for change.”The post Jersey City Secures $2 Million in Funding for Mental Health First Response Program appeared first on Jersey City Times.