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Date Completed
Spring 2026
Abstract
This doctoral capstone project focused on interprofessional collaboration and evaluated the impact of the Social Work Unit (SWU) embedded within the Dover Police Department. The evaluation primarily examined the SWU’s impact on repeated police contact for community members with mental health needs and perceptions within the department. A mixed-methods approach was used, including secondary data analyses of 91 cases and semi-structured interviews with 15 department personnel.
Results showed overall decreases in calls for service (CFS) following SWU involvement, along with shifts in call types, suggesting changes in the nature of police interactions rather than complete reduction in contact. Referral patterns indicated frequent use of direct services and external case management. Qualitative findings highlighted increase integration of the SWU over time, with participants describing it as a valuable resource that enhances collaboration, supports workload management, and improves responses to community members’ mental health concerns.
An online training module was also developed to support officer education on co-occurring mental health diagnoses, sensory strategies, and officer wellness. The survey is in progress so the outcomes from this training are partially reported here.
Overall, findings provide preliminary support for embedded social work models and highlight the opportunity for occupational therapy to contribute to interdisciplinary, community-based intervention approaches within justice system settings.
Document Type
Capstone
First Advisor
John Wilcox
Second Advisor
Nikhil Tomar
Third Advisor
Bridget Ryan
College or School
CHHS
Department or Program
Department of Occupational Therapy
Recommended Citation
Syed, Sana, "Interprofessional Collaboration at the Intersection of Community Mental Health and the Justice System" (2026). OTD Capstones. 8.
https://scholars.unh.edu/otd_capstones/8