NEWBURY — The regional co-response clinician serving five Cape Ann communities has been recognized by the state for her extraordinary work connecting residents to behavioral health services.
Robin Reid was presented the state Department of Mental Health’s Karin Orr Award on July 29. The award is given annually to mental health clinicians who demonstrate superior collaboration skills with both law enforcement and with people who are encountered by police in the community. It also highlights clinicians who have helped those in a crisis, worked to prevent crises, and those who have provided aid others with follow up care.
Reid, an employee of Lahey Behavioral Health, is assigned to the Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Newbury and Rowley Police Departments as a regional co-response clinician. Reid plays a critical role in providing immediate mental health and substance use support for individuals who interact with law enforcement, aiming to divert them from the criminal justice system and toward appropriate care, with the goal of minimizing and diverting unnecessary arrests, reducing recidivism, and reducing law enforcement calls for service.
Reid was hired in April 2023, after then-Rowley Police Chief Scott Dumas obtained a regional DMH Jail Diversion Grant to fund her position working with five communities.
In her time working in the region, Reid has responded to about 620 total calls for service, and has co-responded to 198 calls. As a result, 285 arrests were diverted, and 129 unnecessary emergency room visits were avoided.
The co-response program is unique because it utilizes a regional model to help smaller communities afford to employ a masters-level clinician, which many smaller communities cannot afford on their own. Officers are also trained in Mental Health First Aid, and have been open to working with Reid to avoid unnecessary arrests and emergency room visits.
“I am so honored to get this award for ‘the little program that could.’ I did not win this award alone — I had the support of my chiefs, officers, towns, and my Lahey supervisor, Danielle Csogi. I believe it takes a lot for small towns to get statewide recognition, and I am humbled and honored for this recognition,” said Reid. “I want community members, families and providers to know that the police and I are here to help, and are an additional resources. I hope that no one hesitates to reach out for help. We are here.”
“Robin’s impact on our departments has been transformative,” said Chief Sedgwick. “Officers directly witness her ability to calm individuals who would otherwise be confrontational and uncooperative with police officers.”
In nominating Reid, chiefs representing the five police departments — Newbury Chief Patricia A. Fisher, Boxford Chief James Riter, Georgetown Chief David Sedgwick, Groveland Chief Jeffrey Gillen, and Rowley Chief Stephen May Sr. — praised Reid’s dedication and flexibility. They wrote that in addition to co-responding to incidents, she has also identified high-risk individuals and worked to intervene in their lives before they interact with law enforcement.
“Robin has truly made a profound difference in these communities, touching lives of officers and positively impacting hospitals,” the chiefs wrote in a joint letter to DMH. “We are confident that every officer in these towns would agree that Robin Reid is deserving of recognition for her exceptional contributions to mental health and community well-being.”
Chief Fisher took over administration of the DMH grant when Chief Dumas retired. She is optimistic about the program’s future.
Funds for the program were in jeopardy earlier this fiscal year, with the Commonwealth initially looking to significantly cut funding to the Department of Mental Health. Law enforcement advocacy with the Legislature highlighted this public safety concern in an effort to continue funding for this grant in Fiscal Year 2026.
Reid’s position has received a temporary award for Fiscal Year 2026 Quarter 1. The departments are awaiting word about full funding through June 2026.
“This partnership between mental health clinicians and law enforcement for co-response is a meaningful change in the history of law enforcement that ensures appropriate service and protection to the public,” said Chief Fisher. “Elimination of these positions would be a detrimental setback to public safety.”
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