Six months after launching the Albany County Crisis Officials Responding and Diverting (ACCORD) program, county officials announced its expansion.
“This is an investment, an investment that, I think, is right and just, and I think many people will agree is overdue,” New York state Assemblyman John McDonald said Thursday.
According to McDonald, the state is providing $350,000 to expand the ACCORD program to other municipalities.
Presently, the program serves just the Hilltowns, responding to mental health and non-violent emergency calls with county social workers and paramedics.
“We’re getting calls from all over the county, ‘Is the ACCORD team on?'” said Sheriff Craig Apple. “Our agency, other agencies, you name it, we get calls.”
County officials are calling the program a success, citing more than 100 individuals it has helped over the last six months. They say the individuals were directed to the right services and got a follow-up check-in as well.
“Often times, we can clear a situation and provide a service that law enforcement doesn’t have to be the principle agent in, and I think that is very important,” said Stephen Giordano, Albany County Mental Health Department director.
There’s no word yet on which towns and villages will join ACCORD next year. But municipalities interested will be required to agree to its principles and provide equipment, staffing and cars.
The state grant will help offset costs.
“There is additional resources, if needed,” said Matthew Peter, an Albany County legislator who introduce the initiative. “But it’s going to be based on the ability to hire and localities joining in.”
