Improving Crisis Prevention and Response
Crisis Response and Prevention refers to a coordinated system of services designed to support individuals experiencing behavioral health or social service-related crises in the least restrictive, most appropriate way. The goal is to connect people to timely, compassionate care that reduces harm, stabilizes urgent situations, and prevents future crises through early intervention, community support, and ongoing services. This approach recognizes that many crisis situations are not criminal in nature or safety threats that require a police response but instead reflect unmet needs that can be addressed through behavioral health care, social services, and community-based supports rather than law enforcement or emergency medical response alone.
Background
For many years, calls to 911 involving behavioral health or social service needs were most often answered by first responders who may not have had specialized training in behavioral health crisis intervention or de-escalation. This created a system that was not always well-matched to the needs of the individuals experiencing crisis.
To address these challenges, the Department of Human Services (DHS) convened a Crisis Response Stakeholder Group in 2020. The group was charged with examining the system’s reliance on emergency services for behavioral health needs, as well as persistent racial inequities in crisis response. Following a six-month study and planning process, a diverse group of stakeholders issued a document outlining 16 recommendations for improving crisis prevention and response within the County's system. These recommendations now guide a range of initiatives DHS is implementing today.
Key Initiatives
Alternative Response Initiative (A-Team)
The Alternative Response Initiative, known as the A-Team, deploys trained behavioral health and social service professionals to respond to certain 911 calls involving behavioral health or social service-related crises. These professionals may respond instead of, alongside, or after police or EMS in non-violent situations. Their role includes de-escalation, on-site support, connection to services, and short-term follow-up care.
The goals of the program are to reduce pressure on the emergency response system and provide trauma-informed, person-centered support that is safe, compassionate, and effective. Launched in 2024 in two municipalities, the A-Team now operates in partnership with 16 police departments across 22 municipalities. The program is operated by Resources for Human Development (RHD) in collaboration with Allegheny County Emergency Services and local police departments.
View the Alternative Response Initiative interactive dashboard.
Expanded Mobile Crisis Services
In response to stakeholder concerns about long response times and a crisis response model that did not sufficiently address public crises, especially those experienced by unhoused individuals with unmet human service needs, DHS and Resolve piloted new models that have expanded and strengthened mobile crisis services, beginning in downtown Pittsburgh and now operating in Pittsburgh’s North and Southside neighborhoods as well. These services collaborate closely with the City of Pittsburgh’s co-response teams. Allegheny County residents can seek crisis counseling supports by calling 988 or Resolve Crisis Services’ 24-hour hotline. Crisis clinicians will assess the need for and availability of a mobile crisis response.
Public dashboards provide data on call volume, response times, and caller demographics. DHS has also implemented crisis response training, including mental health first aid and verbal de-escalation support for first responders and frontline staff.
Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)
LEAD is a nationally recognized model that connects individuals whose unmet behavioral health needs often result in repeated police contact with supportive services instead of arrest. In Allegheny County, LEAD launched in 2022 in three municipalities and now operates across 16 police departments in 21 municipalities, in partnership with five nonprofit organizations.
Through LEAD, police departments and community partners refer individuals to intensive case management rather than arrest. Case managers provide long-term, individualized support to help participants set and work toward personal goals. The program is administered by CONNECT (Congress of Neighboring Communities), with case management provided by Passages to Recovery and HSAO.
Contact
For questions about Crisis Response and Prevention, please contact the Office of Community Justice and Safety at DHS-OCJS@alleghenycounty.us.