Why do you want to be a PAARI Pro?
“As the program coordinator within a city, the primary objective would focus on creating a positive influence on individuals dealing with substance use disorders. This role as a PAARI Pro member would help involve providing resources, support, and guidance to other police departments, enabling them to establish their own initiatives aimed at assisting individuals seeking to overcome addiction in a compassionate and non-judgmental setting.”
About:
Natashia Patricio is the Project Coordinator for the New Bedford Police Department, a full-time position she has held since May 2020. Ms. Patricio started with the program as a part-time recovery coach through The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) in 2018, and she was also a Community Health Outreach Worker through Seven Hills Behavioral Health in 2018.
Ms. Patricio was promoted to Project Coordinator in 2020, where she liaises with in-house recovery coaches, clinicians, outreach officers, and community partners. She provides education and technical assistance to law enforcement, outreach team members, and partner organizations to ensure overdose and mental health outreach is conducted in a consistent and appropriate manner.
Ms. Patricio also provides assistance to the Law Enforcement Assistance Diversion program (LEAD) by reducing police contacts and chronic criminal law violations by addressing the underlying causes of substance use disorder, mental illness, poverty, or homelessness.
Ms. Patricio has obtained her Bachelor's degree in Crime and Justice Studies from the University of Dartmouth and is fluent in Portuguese. She is trained in Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program, Multidisciplinary Team Response to Child Sex Trafficking, and Zeroing in on Xylazine. Ms. Patricio is a member of the Community Crisis Intervention Team (CCIT), Opioid Task Force, and Human Trafficking Team.
She has presented at national conferences, including the Mental Health and Law Enforcement Conference through the Department of Mental Health.
