Mackenzie Dahlberg, NewsCenter1 | 07/12/2022
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Virtual Crisis Care has seen about eight of 10 people diverted from involuntary mental holds or jail in South Dakota, which Pennington County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has been contributing to.
South Dakota has the telehealth option across the state, and Pennington County is one of the 18 counties that has the program in law enforcement. The crisis care project is also expanding across the nation to states like Nevada.
In Pennington County, deputies who respond to a scene can provide an opportunity for a one-on-one session with a mental health professional through an iPad. Avel eCare in Sioux Falls partnered the program and provides the counselors and health care professionals that people are connected to.