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Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that, under the recommendations of his Transition Team, they are created a Mental Health and Substance Use Crisis Stabilization Team in White Plains. The new team will be operated by PEOPLe, Inc. and is “the initial step in creating Westchester’s first Crisis Stabilization Hub."
The Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) has begun steps to establish four Crisis Stabilization Hubs throughout the county, with the first coming to White Plains.
Officials said the “stabilization teams are modeled after the staffing of the nationally recognized Dutchess County Stabilization Hub (which was created by PEOPLe), and will serve people in mental health or substance use crisis who are often homeless and facing arrest or emergency hospitalization.”
“Westchester County has seen the deterioration of the safety net for our most vulnerable people. The Transition Team, which consisted of leaders from across the County, recognized this problem and called us to action, urging for the creation of four Crisis Stabilization Hubs,” Latimer said. “I am proud to announce that in just nine months, my office, Westchester County DCMH and our colleagues within Westchester, as well as our community partners, have come together to begin making the first hub a reality.”
The catchment area for the initial Crisis Stabilization Hub will serve residents Greenburgh, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck Town and Village and Harrison, which use hospital and emergency services in White Plains.
Officials said that “through detailed analysis of each step in developing the White Plains model, the County intends to map out a replication plan for similar crisis centers in other communities throughout Westchester.”
“DCMH has been working to develop such a model for several years; the recognition of this great need in the Transition Report has brought the community a greater awareness,” DCMH Commissioner Michael Orth stated. “Through the support of the Office of Mental Health, the County Executive’s office, and our partners in the community, we are taking a major step to bring needed crisis stabilization to Westchester.”
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