The CARE Team -- a partnership among the Carrboro Police Department, Chapel Hill Police Department and Orange County -- has received the Rooted in Results Award from the Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC). 

 The team was among those recognized by the Central Pines Regional Council during its celebration of regional leadership, innovation, and partnership at its 2025 End of Year Celebration & Golden Pinecone Awards, an event held in Durham on Dec. 4. 

Rooted in Results Award presented to the Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (CARE) Team 

A partnership among the  Carrboro Police Department, Chapel Hill Police Department and Orange County the CARE Team provides a non-law enforcement response to behavioral health challenges, substance use, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and other non-emergent needs. The program launched in May 2024. 

Combining crisis counselors, peer support specialists, and community EMTs—with support from an embedded 911 crisis counselor—the program has already responded to 1,983 events and served 981 individuals. After a successful first year, the program expanded to the Town of Carrboro and is currently building a second team to extend its service hours. This collaboration exemplifies problem-solving across community lines. 

Learn more about additional honors presented at https://www.centralpinesnc.gov/pressreleases/central-pines-regional-council-honors-local-leaders-2025-golden-pinecone-awards ;

[Photo: CARE Team – Captain Shane Osborne (Chapel Hill Police Department), Assistant Chief Paul Bell (Chapel Hill Police Department), Jennifer Melvin (Peer Support Specialist, Chapel Hill Police Department), Heather Palmateer (Lead Crisis Counselor, Chapel Hill Police Department), Junika Jones (Social Worker, Carrboro Police Department), Alia Martin (Crisis Response Community EMT, Orange County Emergency Medical Services), Captain Todd Harris (Chapel Hill Police Department), and Kim Woodard (EMS Division Chief, Orange County Emergency Medical Services)]