Bridgeway Center, Inc. Provides Crisis Response Team for Shalimar Courthouse Staff

DECEMBER 4, 2008

Fort Walton Beach - Bridgeway Center, Inc. expresses its shared sadness with the community for the loss of Okaloosa County Circuit Judge G. Robert Barron. In response to an early morning call to Daniel Cobbs, Chief Executive Officer of Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI), a Crisis Response Team was assembled and dispatched to the Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex in Shalimar. It was relayed to Mr. Cobbs that Judge T. Patterson Maney, Okaloosa County Court, made the initial request late last night to Commissioner Don R. Amunds, Board of County Commissioners, as he had encountered so many staff members in need of support as he walked about the courthouse complex. BCI Clinical Access Program Director, Michelle Espinoza, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, coordinated an experienced multigender Crisis Response Team and had them in place by 10:30 this morning to provide services for any annex staff member that desired this support. Initial concerns regarding fiscal responsibility for these services were dispelled by Mr. Cobbs who stated that "Bridgeway Center stands ready to support the needs of the staff of the local judiciary system during this time of grief." He went on to say that "Bridgeway Center considers it a privilege to be able to provide these services on a pro bono basis." Bridgeway Center professional Crisis Response Team Members will be available as needed.