The town of Tewksbury serves its 31,342 residents through various services which include the Front Line Initiative.
The Front Line Initiative, in collaboration with the Tewksbury Police Department, is committed to serving those who are most vulnerable: individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and other high-risk populations. The core values of the program include respect for individual’s needs and preferences; a commitment to serve individuals regardless of their needs, resistance, and presentation; increased access to service; value for individual natural support systems; and promoting needed services. Front Line also houses the Middlesex County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trainings for law enforcement across Middlesex County. CIT training helps shape social change by educating first responders on signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorder. ” In over 2,700 communities nationwide, CIT programs create connections between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services and individuals with mental illness and their families. Through collaborative community partnerships and intensive training, CIT improves communication, identifies mental health resources for those in crisis and ensures officer and community safety” (https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/Crisis-Intervention-Team-(CIT)-Programs )”
For further information call:
Community Line: 978-215-9642
- Executive Director: Matthew Page-Shelton, 978-640-4385, ext. 353, mpage-shelton@tewksbury-ma.gov
- Clinical Division Program Manager: Kelly Fineran, LMHC 978-215-9642 kfineran@tewksbury-ma.gov C: 978-770-5063
- Co-Response Clinician: CK Knowles, 978-640-4385, ext. 219 cknowles@tewksbury-ma.gov
- Recovery Support Clinician: Niko Simao, 978-640-4385, ext. 509 nsimao@tewksbury-ma.gov
- Substance Use Disorder Prevention: Maria Ruggiero, Certified Prevention Specialist, 978-640-4385, ext. 352, mruggiero@tewksbury-ma.gov
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Middlesex County CIT- TTAC: Wilson Paul, Program Manager 978-409-7349 Wpaul@tewksbury-ma.gov
Services
- Narcan Training and Distribution: Maria Ruggiero, 978-640-4385, ext. 352, mruggiero@tewksbury-ma.gov
- Front Door Recovery Meeting: See Niko for details.
- Groups and Individual Services available for substance use and mental health
More information can be found at:
- Website: https://www.tewksbury-ma.gov/police-department
- FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/TewksburyCARES/
Tewksbury Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Campaigns.