The City of Rochester has created a pilot program to provide non-law enforcement emergency response to people experiencing emotional or behavioral turmoil.
According to a Jan. 21 press release, the new “Person in Crisis” Team is part of the city’s new Crisis Intervention Services Office. The office was formed in September in response to the death of Daniel Prude and shifts behavioral health services away from the Rochester Police Department.
A PIC Team comprises such health professionals as social workers and mental health counselors. In responding to incidents, team members will employ protocols to assess the safety of the scene; provide an analysis of the situation or crisis; and engage the person in crisis using crisis counseling and de-escalation techniques.
The pilot program will run through June, with the intent to continue the program after that time.
For more information on the PIC Team pilot program, visit http://bit.ly/PICpilot.
