COMMUNITY NEWS
WHAT IS A SOCIAL SERVICE COORDINATOR / POLICE SOCIAL WORKER?
Police Social Workers( PSWs) work in partnership with law enforcement to provide on-scene crisis intervention and ongoing support for individuals facing non-criminal challenges. Many 911 calls stem from unmet social needs or a lack of access to critical resources. PSWs help bridge this gap by connecting individuals and families to appropriate services, with the goal of reducing non-police related calls and promoting long-term community well-being. Through collaborative response and follow-up care, PSWs play a vital role in enhancing public safety and supporting vulnerable populations.
Who is Baldwin Borough’ s Police Social Worker?
Samantha Yule, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2021. For the past two years, she has served as the Police Social Worker( PSW) in Baldwin Borough, working closely with law enforcement to provide compassionate, community-based support. Samantha offers services without billing medical insurance, ensuring equitable access to care for all residents, regardless of financial or insurance status.
How to Contact: Samantha Yule, MSW, LCSW Phone:( 412) 882-9600 Ext 1766 Email: syule @ baldwinpolice. com
SERVICES:
• On scene crisis intervention for various 911 calls including but not limited to mental health crisis, domestic violence, overdoses, sexual assaults, child welfare, grief support, and related calls for residents of Baldwin Borough.
• Assistance with petitioning 302 and provides psychoeducation relating to mental health conditions
• Referrals to various resources including but not limited to outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient programs( IOP), partial hospitalization programs( PHP), psychological evaluations, wraparound services, residential treatment facilities, and rehabilitation facilities.
• Harm reduction approach for substance use related disorders including providing free Narcan and connect individuals to overdose education, counseling, and referral to treatment
• Advocacy for victims of crime and domestic violence
• Provides community case management services
• Promote quality of life of aging and older adults by connecting to resources and minimizing social isolation
• Assist with basic needs assessment and linking residents to shelter, food, and utility assistance
• Facilitate various research studies to complete community needs assessment and obtain community feedback
• Organizes and facilitates various community outreach programs to increase community engagement aldwin BALDWIN BOROUGH NEWS
Programs: Several community-focused programs and events have been implemented to strengthen connections between residents, local service providers, and law enforcement. A cornerstone initiative is the Annual Resource and Wellness Fair, which brings a wide range of local organizations together under one roof to offer accessible support, education, and resources to the community. To further promote community-based policing and build positive relationships, the department regularly participates in interactive events such as Pizza with Police, Trunk or Treat, and Touch a Truck— providing opportunities for informal, friendly engagement between officers and residents of all ages.
We also hosted a Lunch and Learn seminar on Internet Safety and Cyberbullying, aimed at empowering youth with the knowledge to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
In addition to outreach and education, we are committed to giving back through annual charitable efforts. Our Christmas Toy Drive benefits both students in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District and young patients at UPMC Children’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh, spreading holiday cheer to families in need. We also organize a Holiday Food Drive to help ensure that local households have access to essential food items during the holiday season.
These ongoing efforts reflect our department’ s dedication to fostering a safer, stronger, and more connected community— both through direct service and meaningful community engagement.
Internship Program: The Baldwin Borough Police Department has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh to host its first Master of Social Work( MSW) student intern. Over the past year, the intern has worked under the supervision of Samantha Yule, LCSW and alongside law enforcement officers, gaining hands-on experience in crisis response, community outreach, and integrated social work practice within a policing environment.
As this collaboration continues to grow, we are committed to expanding the program to support future social work students and further strengthen the partnership between social services and public safety.
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