LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are delivering over $200,000 in federal funds to strengthen mental health crisis response in Lowndes County.

According to a press release from Senator Ossoff’s office, the lawmakers led a bipartisan push to help Behavioral Health Services of South Georgia support a co-responder program.

The program will pair the Valdosta Police Department and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office with mental health professionals to respond to crisis calls.

The goal of the partnership is to de-escalate these situations, provide mental heath services and reduce strain on law enforcement.

$211,000 are being delivered for the project through bipartisan legislation.

Sen. Ossoff said in a statement,

“Amidst a mental health crisis, it is important that Georgians can get the care they need...That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I worked with Republicans and Democrats to deliver this funding to support crisis response.”

The mayor of the city of Valdosta also released a statement:

“Every locality is faced with determining how to best address mental health issues in our communities...I am grateful to Senators Ossoff and Warnock for delivering this Federal funding which will allow us to send both law enforcement and mental health professionals in response to crisis calls, decrease strain on our police and jails, and meet those experiencing mental health crises where they are with trained mental health professionals.”

The legislation became law on Jan. 23, 2026.

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