SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, Julie Knudsen sits down with Officer Kaitlin Karmilowicz and Isabel Cook, LCSW, members of the Radnor Township Police Department’s Community Support Unit, to discuss an innovative co-response model that combines law enforcement and behavioral health expertise.

The conversation explores how Radnor became one of the first departments in Delaware County to fully embed a social worker within its police department. Isabel and Officer Karmilowicz explain how this partnership allows officers and clinicians to respond collaboratively to mental health crises, domestic violence situations, substance use concerns, school-related issues, and other complex community needs.

They also discuss the importance of officer wellness and the role an embedded social worker can play in supporting first responders. By creating a culture of trust, accessibility, and confidential support, the program is helping reduce stigma around mental health and encouraging officers to prioritize their own well-being.

GUEST BIOS:

Officer Kaitlin Karmilowicz has served with the Radnor Township Police Department for nearly eight years. Before entering law enforcement, she worked as a victim advocate in Chester County, supporting individuals and families impacted by crime and trauma.

As a member of Radnor’s Community Support Unit, Officer Karmilowicz specializes in community-centered policing, crisis response, domestic violence intervention, and behavioral health-related calls. She is part of a multidisciplinary team that works closely with an embedded social worker to connect residents with resources, provide follow-up support, and help prevent crises from escalating.

Isabel Cook is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the embedded social worker for the Radnor Township Police Department’s Community Support Unit. With more than a decade of experience in social work, she has worked in homeless services, victim advocacy, domestic violence programs, and behavioral health support.

Since helping launch Radnor’s co-response program in 2023, Isabel has worked alongside officers to provide crisis intervention, behavioral health assessments, resource navigation, follow-up services, and officer wellness support. Her role bridges law enforcement and clinical care, helping residents access appropriate services while strengthening relationships between the police department and the community.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Radnor Township Police Department: https://radnor.com/government/departments/police

Isabel Cook – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabel-cook-376353180/

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth: https://thelincolncenter.com

International Association of Chiefs of Police – Collaborative Reform Resources: https://www.theiacp.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org

SPONSOR:

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company based in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.