AAC F A M I L Y & F R I E N D S
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Moving forward together creates successful ventures
2016, but his legacy lives on. Ronnie had many endearing qualities: loyalty, off-the-chart-work ethic, dedication, tenacity, vision and kindness. Ronnie was not just a leader. He was an effective leader. He was passionate in everything he undertook. His efforts will endure for years to come. Ronnie served as Cross County sheriff from 1999 to 2008 and spent more than 15 years working for the Wynne Police Department as patrolman, lieutenant and as a criminal investi- gator. Ronnie also was the Brinkley chief of police from 1995 to 1997. He was a board member of the National Sheriffs As- sociation (NSA) and served on several committees. He was also a board member for Victims Information and Notifica- tions Everyday (VINE), a national organization focused on victim notification. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He truly was a great friend. He had several major legis-
R I
lative priorities that are cur- rently left unfulfilled. One priority was for the state of Arkansas to quit warehousing hundreds of citizens with men- tal illness in our county jails. Another priority was the man- agement of the state prison and local jail overcrowding. Tese priority matters along with other tools like telemedicine and specialty courts are interrelated. In 2014, Ronnie was awarded the President’s Award from the
Mental Health Council of Arkansas (MHCA) for his leader- ship in creating the Law Enforcement and Mental Health Co- alition. Ronnie had served on the board for Mid-South Health Systems, Inc. and knew well the level of service a community mental health center (CMHC) was capable of providing. After becoming ASA director, he immediately spearheaded efforts for better services for the mentally ill in Arkansas.
In-Jail Services, Crisis Intervention Training and Crisis Services
Ronnie organized a series of meetings throughout the state at
the various 13 CMHC catchment areas with Arkansas Depart- ment of Human Services (DHS), sheriffs, prosecutors, CMHC directors and other stakeholders to assure the level of services
COUNTY LINES, FALL 2016
onnie Baldwin, deceased, served more than 30 years in law enforcement prior to becoming ex- ecutive director of the Arkansas Sheriffs Associa- tion (ASA) in 2012. Ronnie passed away Aug. 28,
conveyed by DHS and the CMHC were acceptable statewide. Ten he led regional meetings with mem- bers of the General Assembly and the same stakeholders in Sebastian, Union, Craighead and Washington counties.
Tese meetings sought
f everyone is moving forward together, success takes care of itself.
— Quote by Henry Ford, applied by Ronnie Baldwin
support for crisis intervention train- ing (CIT) for law enforcement and the establishment of regional crisis stabilization units in Arkansas. Prior to Ronnie’s advocacy, there were no efforts underway for establishing crisis stabilization units in Arkansas. Now, Gov. Asa Hutchinson has recommended addi- tional funding for regional crisis units in the DHS budget rec- ommendations. Prior to Ron- nie’s advocacy, CIT for law enforcement in Arkansas was rare; only Craighead County had received the requisite 40 hours of CIT under the Mem- phis model. Members of sev- eral law enforcement agencies, such as Pulaski County, Little Rock, North Little Rock and Sebastian County, have com- pleted the appropriate
Mark Whitmore AAC Chief Counsel
level
of CIT training. In addition, the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) is seeking additional funding statewide for cadets to receive eight hours of CIT during their basic training at the academy. If ALETA obtains the funding, which is recommended by Gov. Hutchinson, ALETA will offer the 40-hour CIT (via train the trainer) statewide. Ronnie knew that success required the building of a coalition
between mental health advocates, law enforcement, prosecu- tors, CMHC directors, county judges, sheriffs, the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC), legislators and the governor. He knew Arkansas is small enough that we can get things done — if we act together. One unlikely coalition was created between the sheriffs and the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas (ACLU). Te sheriffs in Arkansas are strong advocates for the mentally ill. Ronnie was always beating the drum for change — seeking the implementation of these urgent priority needs. He reiterat- ed again and again that the state of Arkansas has an affirmative
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RESEARCH CORNER
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