Dare Co to implement Blue Envelope Program for people with conditions, disabilities

DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) – Dare County officials and local law enforcement agencies are partnering with Outer Banks Health to bring the Blue Envelope Program to Dare County.

The Blue Envelope Program is designed to be an awareness tool for law enforcement while interacting with people with conditions or disabilities, such as dementia, autism or anxiety.

According to a Facebook post , the envelopes will be distributed to community members and will include tips for law enforcement, a card that identifies the individual and specifies their condition and room for relevant documents, such as a vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Individuals with the envelope will be able to hand them to law enforcement so they are not perceived as being uncooperative.

Outer Banks Health officials said the voluntary and self-implemented program eases stress and increases effective communication.

“I became aware of this program in New Jersey and found there were other towns, counties and states participating in this program as well,” Outer Banks Health Speech Language Pathologist Kristin Kuhar said. “I thought it could serve our community too. We have many community members with a variety of backgrounds who experience communication challenges. Communication for these individuals can become extremely difficult in stressful situations. The Blue Envelope Program provides a way to ease stress and increase effective communication for both law enforcement and the individual.”

Currently, the program is supported by the Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Southern Shores, Duck and Nags Head police departments, and the Dare County Sheriff’s Office.

The envelopes will be available for free at medical practices, libraries, law enforcement offices, senior centers and high schools throughout Dare County.

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