When Erin McGann left her part-time job as a behavioral health liaison with the South Berwick Police Department, town employees sent her off with accolades. Now, just four months later, McGann is back working for the department, happy to have a full-time job that is likely to be secure.
McGann, who in June left a federally-funded state job with an unpredictable future, welcomed folks to the Police Department booth at the recent Strawberry Festival. There, she handed out information on substance abuse and mental health resources and talked about her new and old roles in South Berwick.
In a recent interview, McGann expressed her gratitude and excitement to be back in town – this time as a full-time employee of the town of South Berwick.
“It is so nice to be wanted and appreciated,” McGann said.
A York resident, McGann’s relationship with South Berwick began in December 2023 after Police Chief David Ruger applied to Sweetser for participation in the state’s new OPTIONS Behavioral Health Liaison program with police departments, a program funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and disbursed through Maine’s Office of Behavioral Health.
Her part-time role in South Berwick was funded through Sweetser, a non-profit mental health agency based in Saco. At the time, she also worked with police and community members in several other York County towns.
McGann’s focus on substance abuse and suicide prevention and her years of experience as a parole officer made her an integral part of the Police Department, accompanying officers on difficult calls and giving residents support through crises, according to Ruger.
After 14 months in that role, McGann moved on to a new job as a disaster behavioral health coordinator with Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention department because, as she said, “the opportunity at the CDC was really good.”
But McGann’s enthusiasm for the CDC position waned with the increasing threat of funding cuts.
“The CDC funding was iffy, and I think iffier now that the new budget bill was passed,” she explained, referring to the recent federal bill that cut the CDC’s budget from $9.3 billion to $4.2 billion, a reduction expected to impact the CDC’s ability to support state and local health departments. “I also really love working in South Berwick and with the folks here,” she added.
During the March 6 Town Council meeting when McGann’s departure was announced, the police chief proposed including a behavioral health position in the town budget. The position was approved at the May annual Town Meeting. Also at that meeting, Ruger praised McGann’s work with staff and community and presented her with a “Community Service Commendation for excellence in service to the community and fostering community relations.”
McGann continued to work part-time under contract with the local Police Department for the past few months, but was thrilled when the opportunity came up to apply for the full-time position.
“I don’t get the Sunday scaries anymore” from a job facing a week ahead with shaky funding, she said..
McGann will continue working with police on domestic disturbance calls in her new role.
“Once the situation is de-escalated, I may be called in,” she said. “If arrests are made, I can help the rest of the people involved, follow up with the person who made the 911 call. Just making a 911 call can trigger emotions. I can help calm a situation, make referrals if needed.”
McGann’s work on managing domestic violence began in college in North Carolina where she worked on a domestic violence hotline and majored in justice and policy. She completed a master’s degree in criminal justice and is now working on a master’s in social work at the University of New England.
Even though her office is in the Police Department on Route 236, her role is to serve the whole town, including staff and residents, on a wide range of issues involving mental health, substance abuse or, as she described it, “someone to hold a hand” through difficult times.
She hopes to get closer to residents by participating in community events and spending part of a day at the South Berwick Library and another at the Community Center.
McGann is available at her police station office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and after hours when needed.
“We’re still working out details,” she said, noting she will be at the National Night Out hosted by the Fire and Police departments Aug. 5.
“I already know so many in our community,” she said, “and hope to meet more.”
