Support Operations Bureau
Community Support Unit
• The Community Support Unit works to reduce homelessness issues and support citizens who are in need of basic life services.
• In 2017, the Mental Health Coordinator was reassigned to the Community Support Unit.
• The unit partners with more than 80 faith, government and social service entities to coordinate service delivery.
The Community Support Unit is staffed by a manager and officer. The unit’ s primary focus is connecting individuals to the resources they need related to mental health, wellness, and housing needs. Stephanie Gillespie has led the unit since June 2008 and oversees the bulk of the program initiatives.
The unit regularly partners with the Arlington Housing Authority, John Peter Smith Hospital, Tarrant County MHMR, Mission Arlington and Veterans Affairs. Approximately 43,669 families representing 162,934 individuals received assistance with basic needs at Mission Arlington last year.
Officer Sheila Griffith serves as the department’ s community outreach officer. During 2017, the department recorded 299 new homeless individuals in our community, along with an existing 193 individuals who had been previously contacted.
Back in April, the department received a referral from a high school student. The 17-year old teen indicated that they were trying to finish up school while taking care of their mom. The mother had some significant medical issues that prevented her from working. The Community Support Unit worked with the Arlington Housing Authority, business community, Mission Arlington and Pantego Bible Church to secure housing and move the family into a fullyfurnished apartment. The student and mother are both doing great and were very fortunate to have reached out to the department.
In July, patrol officers initiated a social service request for an elderly gentleman whose neighbors began to call 911 and make complaints. Through a coordinated team effort with Animal Control, Code Enforcement and Mission Arlington, everyone pitched in to clean up his residence and restore his quality of life to neighborhood standards.
In another success case, Officer Griffith came into contact with a homeless individual who, at one time, was a successful business owner in the city. After finding him lying on a piece of cardboard in need of medical attention, Officer Griffith took him to receive the care he needed. Through procurement of SSI funds, food stamps, home healthcare and meals on wheels, this individual is on his way to a much better quality of life.
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Annual Report 2017