The Community Care model: A classroom to workforce pipeline for emerging police social workers

Abstract

Calls for policing reform following the events of 2020 highlighted the need for collaborative approaches to public safety. The Community Care Program, developed by faculty at Western Carolina University (WCU), responds to this need by embedding social work interns in rural police departments. Through structured field placements, the program promotes interdisciplinary learning, strengthens community partnerships, and expands law enforcement’s capacity to address behavioral health and social crises. Since its launch, the initiative has grown to serve multiple jurisdictions, secured significant external funding, and facilitated the development of the state’s first police social work course. This article describes the program’s evolution and its potential as a model for integrating social work into policing to advance sustainable reform and community well-being through collaborative public safety practices. We discuss the education gap in preparing future professionals and the creation of an interdisciplinary undergraduate course designed to prepare students for forensic practice. Lessons learned and implications for forensic social work practice are discussed.