Together with advocates and stakeholders from the Greenburgh, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester and Yonkers communities, County Executive George Latimer has announced seven Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) in Westchester, which are co-located with the local police departments and have the responsibility of providing 24-hour mobile behavioral health crisis support when responding to emergencies. The MCRT program was a recommendation of Project Alliance, a task force created by Latimer in 2021 to help reimagine policing in Westchester. Law enforcement training to help police effectively deescalate situations involving people with behavioral health challenges was determined a top priority. The MCRT program is being implemented throughout the county with the Port Chester Police Department serving as the first host site.
Latimer said, “Every emergency, every 911 call is different. When our police respond to an emergency and it is clear that someone is struggling with a mental health issue, we want them to be armed with the tools that they need to prevent a serious crisis before it occurs.
The Westchester County Departments of Community Mental Health, Public Safety, Emergency Services and Social Services are instituting the recommendations of Project Alliance to help people manage behavioral health issues in the community.
“Family Services of Westchester is very excited to be a part of this innovative initiative that will help individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis get the proper support and treatment they need. This model will significantly add to our ability to reach those in crisis, and our team of mental health clinicians and peers, as first responders, will help deescalate and build rapport so that individuals can be connected to appropriate services to ensure they receive the best possible care,” said Executive Vice President of Clinical Services for Family Services of Westchester Karen Fink.
