During the Pleasant Prairie Village Board meeting on Monday, October 13, 2025, Village Board members approved plans for a full-time social worker to be embedded within the Pleasant Prairie Police Department (PPPD) through a partnership with Kenosha County Behavioral Health Services. The county position is funded through a $75,000 grant provided by the State of Wisconsin, along with the use of Opioid Settlement Funds allocated to the Village of Pleasant Prairie.
“Local law enforcement officers are often the first to respond to individuals in crisis,” said Chief of Police David Smetana. “This partnership brings professional behavioral health expertise into the department, allowing for immediate assessment, support, and connection to ongoing care. It represents an important step toward improving community safety and wellness.”
The new social worker will work directly with PPPD personnel to improve suicide prevention and response efforts within the community. The program includes several initiatives designed to strengthen suicide screening and identification methods, while enhancing connections between residents and behavioral health services, and reducing the overall risk of suicide in Pleasant Prairie.
The Kenosha County Division of Behavioral Health recently implemented a similar co-response model within the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. The program observed improved outcomes in crisis de-escalation, service connection, and a reduced strain on emergency systems. The added Pleasant Prairie program will build upon the success with a focus on localized response and prevention.
Implementation of the embedded social worker program is expected to begin later this year. The Village will contribute $34,794 to the position from Opioid Settlement Funds, which are authorized for this type of program. The social worker will operate out of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department, respond jointly with officers on calls involving mental health concerns, and provide follow-up support for residents identified as at risk. The position also includes plans to train PPPD officers in the use of tools that strengthen wellness checks and response procedures to improve suicide risk assessment.