Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health to Establish First Crisis Stabilization Center
December 11, 2018 -- Following through on Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s Transition Team recommendation, the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) is taking steps to establish the County’s first Crisis Stabilization Center (CSC) in White Plains. Funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health, DCMH received one year of start-up funding to create a Crisis Stabilization Team (CST), to establish innovative programming to reduce the incarceration and hospitalization of individuals with complex mental health and substance abuse needs. The initial meeting of key stakeholders will be held next week at the Westchester County Board of Elections.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “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. I am proud to announce that before the close of this year, my office, Westchester County DCMH and our colleagues within Westchester, as well as our community partners, have come together to begin making this first hub in White Plains a reality.”
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Michael Orth said: “DCMH has been working to develop such a model for several years; and the recognition of this great need has brought the community a greater awareness. 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.”
The CST will be modeled after the nationally recognized Dutchess County Stabilization Hub, and will serve people in mental health or substance abuse crisis who are often homeless, facing arrest or in need of emergency hospitalization. This first hub will serve the City of White Plains, parts of the Town of Greenburgh, Scarsdale and Mamaroneck Town and Village, Rye, Port Chester and Harrison – all communities that typically utilize hospital emergency services in White Plains.
DCMH has identified nearly 50 different organizations ranging from emergency services and law enforcement, to health and behavioral health providers, to school district and government entities – all who have a vested interest and major role in building crisis stabilization in Westchester for long-term success.
Using the White Plains hub as a model, the County intends to map out a replication plan for similar crisis centers in three other communities across Westchester County.