Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Jessica Zira, clinical therapist at The Providence Center, received the Citizens’ Award from the Providence police at the department’s commendation awards ceremony on October 6, for her work providing mental health services to Providence residents in crisis.
Zira is a part of a unique partnership between The Providence Center and the Providence police to divert people with mental health and substance use issues away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate treatment. She accompanies officer on patrols throughout the city of Providence to respond to individuals in a psychiatric or substance use crisis. On the scene, she de-escalates the crisis and conducts a clinical assessment to make an appropriate recommendation to the individual’s care and safety. Her goal is to direct the client to an alternative solution to arrest: The Providence Center emergency services, the Crisis Stabilization Unit, or a hospital.
“This award is a symbol of all the hard work and dedication that The Providence Police Department and The Providence Center have committed to in making the community diversion program a success,” Zira said. “I continue to be inspired by the consumers, and their families and their ability to remain courageous in the face of adversity.”
In addition to her on-the-scene clinical work, Zira has also developed training used by first-line supervisors, police academy curriculum and command staff in the police department. The partnership allowed the Providence police to secure a recent national community policing award and helped The Providence Center expand the program to include other RI communities. The Providence Center now has a clinician working with the Warwick police department.