Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, members of the Albany County Legislature, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple and others today announced a major expansion of mental health programs and services for residents in the City of Albany and throughout Albany County. Included in the announcement were the expansions of the ACCORD Program and Mental Health Court, additional funding for the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program and engagement services for homeless individuals, and the reopening of the former Mercy House homeless shelter through a collaboration with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless.  

For the first time, the Albany County Crisis Officials Responding and Diverting (ACCORD) Program will be expanded beyond the Hilltowns and into the City of Albany, with the rollout anticipated in 2025. ACCORD was first launched in June of 2021 as a pilot program, in which non-violent emergency calls are diverted from Albany County Sheriff Dispatch police to EMS and mental health social workers. The City will create an internal working group comprised of members of the Albany Police and Fire Departments to analyze what processes, investments and protocols would be necessary to implement ACCORD in the city. 

Additionally, through a partnership with Albany Community Access to Resources and Services (CARES), supplementary funding will be made available for an engagement program to directly interact with homeless individuals on the street to more effectively enter them into the system of care and find stable housing.

“Long before the pandemic, we were in the middle of mental health and overdose epidemic. This was only made worse by COVID, the economic shutdown and isolation. On top of that, we are now faced with an affordability and homeless crisis. However, today we further show our commitment to getting Albany County residents the mental health and support services they need to recover, get back on their feet, and thrive,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “With this more than $1.8 million in combined funding from the County and City of Albany, we will continue to make a real difference in the lives of those who truly need our help with creative solutions that don’t simply rely on incarceration.”

"The pandemic shone a light on what had been evident for years – the lack of comprehensive mental health support across our nation. This ongoing and ever-growing crisis has exacerbated the number of people we see openly panhandling, using illegal drugs, and experiencing mental health crises on our streets, in our parks, and even on residents’ private property. These issues are impacting our residents and businesses every day, and while it is also not something the police or one city should tackle alone I am thankful to have partners like County Executive Daniel McCoy, County Legislator Matthew Peter, and members of the Albany County Legislature who agree that working together we can begin to address these concerns and help those most in need,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

“I am proud the City of Albany is allocating a significant portion of our opioid recovery funding toward this program, and I look forward to working with the County and its partners to expand the street treatment model that we piloted on Lark Street this spring across the City of Albany and Albany County in 2024,” she continued. 

“ACCORD has changed the approach to dealing with the Mental Health Crisis.  Adding extra focus on in- home treatment as well as extensive follow-up has proven itself time and time again,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Sr. 

In the coming weeks, the City of Albany will create an internal working group comprised of members of the Albany Police Department and the Albany Fire Department to analyze what processes, investments, and protocols would be necessary to implement ACCORD within the City.

Other initiatives unveiled during the joint announcement is an expansion of the Albany Alternative and Treatment Court (Mental Health Court), the first time it’s been expanded since the pilot program was first launched in February of 2021. The Mental Health Court offers those charged with nonviolent misdemeanors or non-criminal violations an opportunity to be diverted into court-supervised and community-based services and treatment instead of facing incarceration. Additional funding will provide administrative support in order to expand the number of slots in the program, which currently stands at fifteen. 

In order to address the ongoing homeless crisis, county funds would be utilized to reopen the former Mercy House homeless shelter in the City of Albany through a collaboration with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless. The shelter has originally closed in July of 2022 due to rising costs of operations. Additionally, combined funding from Albany County and the City of Albany would support Albany CARES and an engagement program of social workers to directly interact with homeless individuals on the street to more effectively enter them into the system of care and find stable, long-term housing.  

“The Albany County Legislature has one goal in mind when it comes to mental health crisis events in the area and that is, to keep everyone as safe as possible. The best way to do that is to provide tangible and proven successful resources to those struggling in crisis. These new investments will increase direct access to mental health professionals, create a new array of judicial services for those in need and increase shelter services. Thank you to our County legislators who passionately advanced these initiatives in partnership with the County Executive’s office and the City of Albany,” said Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce.

“I am proud to join the Democratic Majority in supporting continued and additional support for mental health programs in the County. The County is best served when all of the needs of its residents are being adequately met, and better mental health services benefit everyone,” said Albany County Legislature Majority Leader Dennis Feeney. 

“Albany County is leading the charge in mental health reform. With these initiatives, we're offering a hand of support to those who need it most, ensuring no one faces their struggles alone,” said Wanda Willingham, Albany County Legislator, District 3.

“The mental health system throughout our country has been underfunded and understaffed for decades leading to an ever increasing amount of individuals left with nowhere to turn. The Covid 19 pandemic exacerbated this existing crisis and we are still addressing those challenges. When mental health crises continue to go untreated, the crisis quickly becomes a quality of life and public safety issue. This is why it is crucial that we treat mental health issues before they transform into larger problems,” said Matthew Peter, Albany County Legislator, District 5.

“Albany County continues to lead when it comes to investing in mental health care and innovative programs. I am proud to join my colleagues to announce crucial investments in programs like Accord, mental health court, supportive housing options and proactive street teams made up of case managers and behavioral specialists. These investments will help individuals experiencing crisis get the treatment or care they need from mental health professionals, instead of relying solely on the criminal justice system. I want to thank Chairman Andrew Joyce, County Executive Dan McCoy, Sheriff Craig Apple, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, my colleagues in the County Legislature and the City Council along with the esteemed team of mental health professionals who guided this process,” he continued.

"I applaud County Executive McCoy and Mayor Sheehan for expanding these innovative programs to ensure that our first responders are fully equipped to deliver appropriate care for individuals experiencing mental health crises,” said Senator Neil Breslin. 

“One in five New Yorkers will experience symptoms of a mental health disorder this year. I’m proud to secure funding for programs like Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) each year in the state budget, which diverts non-violent offenders struggling with addiction, mental illness, or poverty — alleviating the burden on our criminal justice system and ‘leading’ to more positive outcomes for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. I commend Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, the Albany County Legislature, and all for recognizing the need to support more individuals with resources tailored to their needs, especially as we continue to weather a mental health crisis in part spurred by the COVID pandemic. Increased funding for programs like LEAD and ACCORD illustrate how intra-governmental partnerships are vital in effectively responding to the statewide mental health crisis,” said Assembly Member Patricia Fahy.

"This partnership between Albany County and the City of Albany along with the significant commitment of additional funding toward increased mental health services is welcome news for our communities. As a strong supporter of the LEAD and ACCORD programs and as a former Mayor and long-time health care provider, I understand the importance of these partnerships and funding commitments toward treating what are often co-occurring issues, substance use disorders and mental health disorders. These programs and services that will be expanded are a prime example meeting people where they are and getting them connected to the services to help redirect their lives. Thank you to all of the partners involved and I look forward to continuing to work together to advance these programs that have a profound impact on the quality of life in our communities,” said Assembly Member John McDonald III, RPh.

“It is essential that Albany County continue to enhance the support for our residents who have mental health challenges. In this time of increased social and economic pressure and the isolation that was brought on by the Covid crisis, the number of people subjected to mental health issues is at an all-time high,” said Merton D. Simpson, Albany County Legislator, District 2.

"Our commitment to mental health is unwavering. By expanding mental health resources, we're striving for a just and compassionate system that prioritizes wellness for wellness for all,” said Carolyn McLaughlin, Albany County Legislator, District 1.

"As Chair of the Social Services Committee, I'm proud of the progress we're achieving in Albany County to strengthen mental health services and provide support to those who are in most need. Through our collaborative efforts with the City of Albany, we are working towards a more compassionate and resilient community that prioritizes the wellness and safety of all our residents," said Samuel Fein, Albany County Legislator, District 6.