Ithaca’s ROOTS pilot program is hiring its first community responders for non-police support on some nonviolent calls, according to WENY-TV. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 12.
The city is looking to hire two part-time community responders, one full-time responder and one full-time working supervisor.
ROOTS stands for Responders Offering Outreach, Trust and Support.
The program is part of Ithaca’s broader Reimagining Public Safety work and was approved as a pilot in February 2026.
Training is expected to include first aid, crisis intervention and substance-use response, with responders expected to begin work in the fall.
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