Mount Prospect using relief funds for second police social worker

The Mount Prospect Police Department now has a second social worker, hired with funds received through the federal American Rescue Plan.

Social worker Jenny Ugalde, who has experience in a similar role in Mundelein, began working for Mount Prospect last week. She reports to the village's human services department.

Police Chief Michael Eterno said having a second social worker will give the department greater coverage, especially during the busy afternoon shift.

"When we have the bulk of the calls, we've seen an increase in mental health-type calls as well. A social worker on our afternoon shift is going to be tremendously helpful," he said.

The department's first social worker, Karyn Nelson, was hired 3½ years ago. The social workers' role includes following up with residents who have had police contact and providing services such as court advocacy for victims and witnesses, as well as short-term counseling.

"They routinely follow up on police reports on a daily basis and look for anything with a social service or mental health need," said Julie Kane, director of the human services department.

Residents contacted are more likely get the help they need, as opposed to "being in crisis and not knowing where to turn and kind of being left to your own devices," Kane added.

The village is receiving more than $7 million from the American Rescue Plan, the second of the two federal coronavirus relief packages. Human services will receive more than $1.3 million to fund the social worker, a behavioral health subsidy program, an emergency assistance program, a Dial-a-Bus program and a housing stabilization program.