County Provides Update on Alternative Response Initiative
Published on December 17, 2024
PITTSBURGH –Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and key leaders gathered today to celebrate the launch of the Alternative Response program, an initiative in which behavioral health first responders can now answer human service and behavioral health 9-1-1 calls instead of law enforcement. This groundbreaking program, spearheaded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in partnership with Allegheny County Emergency Services (ACES), introduces a transformative approach to emergency response. It is launching in collaboration with the police departments of Penn Hills, Monroeville, McKees Rocks and Allegheny County Housing Authority.
The Alternative Response program supplements traditional first response services (police, fire, EMS) with a fourth branch of emergency services, trained behavioral health first responders, referred to as the A-Team. The A-Team addresses mental health crises and other human service-related emergencies in three primary ways:
- As an alternative to law enforcement.
- In tandem with law enforcement.
- Following a law enforcement interaction.
“As part of our All in Allegheny plan, the Alternative Response program supports law enforcement in handling mental health and human services crises in their communities,” said County Executive Sara Innamorato. “This initiative reflects our commitment to addressing the needs of our communities while ensuring that the agencies protecting our residents have the tools to provide the safety that we all deserve.”
The initiative aims to:
- De-escalate crises in the community.
- Reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.
- Minimize the time law enforcement spends on behavioral health and human service-related calls.
- Provide connections to care for those in crisis.
- Decrease the likelihood of arrest and incarceration for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
The program is currently operational in Penn Hills and Monroeville and will expand in January 2025 to McKees Rocks and select Allegheny County Housing Authority sites.
“When someone calls 9-8-8, the national mental health crisis hotline, there is a trained clinician who can talk them through their crisis or respond to the scene. But when people call 9-1-1 in mental distress, which they often do, no such response was possible, until now. This program ensures that whether someone calls 9-1-1 or 9-8-8, they receive the support they need as quickly as possible,” said DHS Director, Erin Dalton. “We want to thank the courageous and innovative police chiefs from Penn Hills, Monroeville, McKees Rocks, and the Allegheny County Housing Authority who, along with community members, recognized they were not the right responder for all 9-1-1 calls and were willing to pave the way.”
The A-Team operates daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and responds to non-violent, non-medical 9-1-1 calls at the request of the participating police departments. Each A-Team consists of two behavioral health first responders, supported by clinical supervisors. Their role includes de-escalating crises, conducting behavioral health screenings, creating safety plans, providing mediation support, distributing tangible goods, arranging transportation for individuals in need, and offering short-term follow-up care.
Jon Chillinsky, Director of the A-Team, emphasized the program’s impact: “We’ve been able to supplement municipal law enforcement by providing compassionate responses for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or other crises,” he said. “We not only respond in the moment of crisis; we have staff who can follow up with residents in the days after a crisis to ensure they can connect to the supports they need.”
ACES Chief Matthew Brown highlighted the safety of the program and complexity of launching Alternative Response in Allegheny County: “Our 9-1-1 professionals operate one of the most complex systems in the country, answering calls for 130 municipalities and collaborating daily with nearly 400 public safety agencies. With the launch of the A-Team, we now have a roadmap for improved response that could, with the support of additional police departments, safely transform response to mental health and human service emergencies across the entire county.”
Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole shared how appreciative his department is for the assistance: “Officers in my department are thrilled that they are able to utilize the A-Team to respond to calls. Instead of spending hours trying to figure out how to connect a resident to services and supports, we are able to refer calls to the A-Team, and then we can get back into service to focus on the criminal calls that require our expertise.”
Looking ahead, Allegheny County plans to expand the initiative to additional municipalities and police departments, leveraging lessons learned to ensure thoughtful, effective growth.
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