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