Patricia Contente is the Director of Community Outreach, Help and Recovery (COHR) program and Metro Boston CIT TTAC. COHR is the Somerville Police Department's in-house program.
Patty is a Clinical Social Worker and experienced trainer with a focus on leadership, criminal justice and mental health intervention and support. Her clinical experience includes working with adults, families and adolescents on a broad range of issues including: eating disorders, trauma, depression, substance use disorder, and sexual assault. From 2008 – 2016 she managed the Somerville Trauma Response Network a post vention support for youth and community after a traumatic incident.
In 2016 she developed and implemented the Somerville Police Department’s Community Outreach, Help & Recovery (COHR) unit, a clinical unit to provide outreach in the community and work with public safety to inform response and support of individuals experiencing emotional distress. Her work has included developing policy and procedure to collect data. COHR was created to provide assistance with assessment, referral, alternative to arrest, as well as pre and post adjudication planning for individuals impacted by behavioral health. Staff include clinicians, recovery coaches and case management interns who work alongside the police and surrounding Mental Health stakeholders to quickly identify individuals in crisis and make referrals to provide resources for them on their recovery path from substance abuse and mental health. Staff will work with courts and police to determine diversion. Diversion can be done pre or post arraignment.
Patty's work as a certified trainer in a number of programs for both community and law enforcement is a benefit in our community. They include: 5 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) modules; Recovery Coach Academy; Multi-cultural wellness practices; Psychological First Aid and PTSM (Post Traumatic Stress Management) for schools and communities. Law Enforcement specific trainings include Blue Courage; Resiliency Advantage; Police Response to Individuals impacted by Mental Illness Part 1 & 2; Suicide Prevention and Intervention and Criminal Justice Trauma Informed Care.
Congratulations Patty on your award!
Please join the celebration of Patty and other Commonwealth Heroines.
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) will be streaming the celebration "LIVE" on their Facebook Page at 12:00pm on Wednesday June 23, 2021.