New York is putting $6 million on the table to change how communities respond to behavioral health emergencies — by sending trained professionals instead of police.
The state’s Office of Mental Health announced the funding Monday, aiming to create at least three crisis response teams across New York. One each will serve a rural, suburban, and urban community, in line with key recommendations from the Daniel’s Law Task Force.
Instead of law enforcement being the first to respond to a mental health or substance use crisis, these new teams would be led by behavioral health professionals and include peers with lived experience. Officials say the approach is designed to be trauma-informed, community-based, and rooted in racial equity, cultural humility, and harm reduction.
“This pilot program is a step toward fulfilling a key recommendation in the task force report,” said Dr. Ann Sullivan, commissioner of the Office of Mental Health and chair of the task force. “We can help communities safely and compassionately address those individuals who experience a behavioral health crisis.”
Each team could receive up to $2 million in state support, whether to launch a new operation or expand an existing one.
What led to this change?
Daniel’s Law was named after Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old man who died in Rochester police custody in 2020 after experiencing a mental health crisis. His death sparked public outcry and a push to reimagine how mental health emergencies are handled.
In response, state lawmakers formed the Daniel’s Law Task Force. Its job: recommend ways to build a statewide model for health-led crisis response and reduce the criminalization of people in distress. The group held listening sessions, reviewed national best practices, and in December released a report outlining what a better system might look like.
One of the major takeaways? Calls to 911 or 988 involving behavioral health should trigger a response from trained professionals — not just police.
The task force also pushed for pilot programs in different kinds of communities to make sure the model can work anywhere in the state.
Leaders call it a “critical step”
Several state leaders voiced strong support for the initiative.
Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said the goal is to quickly connect people in crisis with the right care. “It is vital that we work to direct them to these services as quickly as possible.”
Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said the teams will bring “safety, compassion, and expertise” to behavioral health calls.
State lawmakers who championed Daniel’s Law called the funding a major milestone.
“With this multi-million-dollar investment… we are taking a major step forward to help New Yorkers in crisis with trauma-informed care,” said Sen. Samra Brouk.
Assemblymember Harry Bronson praised the state for making sure the pilot teams are spread across diverse regions. “This is the critical next step for establishing a statewide crisis response model that is compassionate, peer-led and trauma-informed,” he said.
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon added that the program puts “trained health professionals and peers at the forefront” — exactly where they should be in a mental health emergency.
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