NEW YORK STATE ANNOUNCES $6 MILLION TO ESTABLISH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS
Funding to Help Urban, Suburban, and Rural Communities Establish a Health-Led Response System
Pilot Based on Daniel’s Law Task Force Recommendation to Incorporate Trained Behavioral Health Professionals and Peers in Crisis Response System
The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced the availability of $6 million for communities statewide to build a health-led behavioral health crisis response system as part of recommendations from the Daniel’s Law Task Force report. The funding will help establish or expand at least three teams – including one in a rural, one in a suburban, and one in an urban community – that use trained behavioral health professionals and include peer support to provide a safe, compassionate response for New Yorkers in crisis.
“By establishing a health-led system of response, we can help communities to safely and compassionately address those individuals who experience a behavioral health crisis,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner and task force Chair Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “This pilot program is a step toward fulfilling a key recommendation in the task force report by building a health-led behavioral health crisis response model that will better serve our communities statewide.”
The state funding is aimed at either building or expanding a crisis response system in communities to use teams with trained behavioral health professionals and including peer support staff. The resulting system will be trauma-informed, community-based, and prioritize racial equity, cultural humility, and harm reduction for New Yorkers across their lifespan.
OMH is providing grants of up to $2 million to establish a new team or expand a team already in operation. The goal is to have at least one of these teams established in a rural, a suburban, and an urban community. In December, the Daniel’s Law Task Force issued recommendations for developing a statewide model for a health-led behavioral health crisis response. The recommendations included establishing health-led teams using standardized protocols for behavioral health crisis response and piloting initiatives that recognize the unique character of New York communities.
Established by legislation in response to the death of 41-year-old Daniel Prude in 2020, the task force was charged with developing recommendations to guide behavioral health crisis response and exploring avenues for related diversion services. Following its inaugural meeting in August 2023, the task force studied presentations on different behavioral health crisis response models to inform their work and conducted numerous listening sessions to gather input.
The task force recommendations called for the state to establish a protocol so that 911 or 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls involving a behavioral health crisis receive a health-led response by individuals specifically trained in crisis services. Specialized teams would then be dispatched to mental health or substance use calls, and on behavioral health wellness checks, according to the task force recommendation.
The task force recommended establishing pilot programs in large, medium, and small cities, as well as rural areas, and focusing on developing sustainable models. As these teams are implemented, communities should develop partnerships – including with individuals having lived experience – to participate in designing the system of care, assess the available resources, and work to develop a network of quality accessible services.
Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner and task force member Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “Individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis need specific help and support, delivered by specialized professionals, and it is vital that we work to direct them to these services as quickly as possible. This new initiative will further develop ways to assist New Yorkers in crisis and immediately get them the help that they need.”
Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner and task force member Rossana Rosado said, “New Yorkers deserve responses to behavioral health crises that center safety, compassion, and expertise. These health-led teams will ensure individuals in crisis receive the specialized care they need from trained professionals. DCJS is proud to support OMH as they advance this key recommendation from the Daniel’s Law Task Force and strengthen communities across the state.”
Senator Samra Brouk said, “Since the tragic death of Daniel Prude in 2020, I have fought for the passage of Daniel’s Law to ensure that we implement a compassionate, peer-led mental health crisis response system across New York State. Together, we must be able to offer voluntary services for people experiencing mental health and substance use crises and put an end to the criminalization of individuals with mental health emergencies. With this multi-million-dollar investment in Daniel’s Law pilot programs –following the direct recommendations of the Daniel’s Law Task Force – we are taking a major step forward to help New Yorkers in crisis with trauma informed care."
Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, “The Daniel’s Law Pilot program, funded through this year’s State budget, makes it possible for New York to put into practice the findings from the Daniel’s Law Task Force Report to ensure we adopt resources that successfully meet the needs of people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the state. I thank OMH Commissioner and Task Force Chair Dr. Ann Sullivan and the Daniel’s Law Task Force members for structuring the RFP so that the funding and implementation for these pilots must go to diverse regions throughout our state. This is the critical next step for establishing a state-wide crisis response model that is compassionate, peer-led and trauma informed – and most importantly, accessible to meet the needs of all New Yorkers.”
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon said, “I commend the Office of Mental Health for advancing the Daniel’s Law pilots that will bring trained health professionals and peers to the forefront of crisis response. New Yorkers experiencing an acute mental health crisis must be met with a response that is grounded in compassion, clinical expertise, and lived experience. Thank you, Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Bronson, for your vision in sponsoring Daniel's Law and the Office of Mental Health for advocating for people experiencing a mental health crisis.