More Twin Cities area metro counties are embedding social workers into 911 call centers to field calls from those struggling with problems like mental health, homelessness and substance use.

One is Melanie Yang, who began working as an embedded social worker in the Minneapolis 911 call center this fall through a pilot program partnership between the city and Hennepin County.

911 call takers are often the first people that those in crisis interact with when they seek help, but call takers may not have the expertise or time to best assist them in that moment. Instead of sending traditional responders such as police officers out to assist a 911 caller, the social worker takes calls deemed to be non-emergent after they are screened by an initial call taker.

Minneapolis sought to add a socia

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