Services, Not Arrests

Albany LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) strives to reorient public safety, reduce racial inequities, and improve public health.
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Our Data

Services, Not Arrests

We strive to reorient public safety, reduce racial inequities, and improve public health.

Learn More
Our Data

About

Our Approach

LEAD is an alternative to the traditional criminal legal system. It provides harm reduction case management for people who otherwise may be arrested for behaviors related to mental health, substance use, homelessness or poverty.

People who are diverted or referred to LEAD receive immediate access to harm reduction-based intensive case management. Based on their own goals, clients are connected to services including substance use treatment; mental health care; support in applying for health coverage, food assistance and other benefits; and assistance with shelter and permanent housing.

Albany Police Department officers may offer LEAD diversion to individuals who otherwise would face arrest on eligible charges if the alleged offense is believed to result from substance use, mental illness, poverty or homelessness. Eligible charges include non-violent General City Ordinance violations, non-violent New York State violations, non-violent misdemeanors, or Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th degree (felony). Both the individual being diverted from arrest and the victim (if there is one) must consent to the diversion, and certain other restrictions apply. At the end of 2022, Albany Police Department and other criminal legal system actors also began engaging people in case management through Albany LEAD via referral outside of a potential arrest.

Albany LEAD case management follows the harm reduction philosophy. Participants will be engaged no matter where they are in their lives and recovery; they will not be penalized or denied services if they do not achieve abstinence. LEAD seeks to minimize negative health, social, and legal impacts with intensive, trauma-informed case management. We recognize that behavioral change may take time and may not proceed in a straight line.

Data & Results

LEAD Diversions and Referrals 2016 - 2023

LEAD Diversions 2016 - 2023

Diversions by Demographic 2016 - 2023

Diversions by Demographic 2016 - 2023

Our Commitment to Accountability

Albany LEAD is recognized by peer initiatives around the country for the breadth and depth of its public data reporting, which reflects stakeholders’ work through the Data Committee and the overall direction of the Albany LEAD Policy Coordinating Group. We report quarterly on Albany Police Department arrests and diversions. All reports are available through the Department.

LEAD Data Q1 2024
All Reports
LEAD Data Q1 2024
All Reports

Our Stakeholders

We operate based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established in June 2015 among the following participants.

Albany Office of the Mayor

Albany Police Department

Albany County Executive

Albany County District Attorney

Center for Law and Justice

Central District Management Association

Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region

Leaders of these signatory entities make up the Policy Coordinating Group, which governs Albany LEAD. Key service providers Catholic Charities Care Coordination Services and St. Catherine’s Center for Children Homeless Services are additional signatories to an amended MOU.

The Operational Working Group meets biweekly to share information on and coordinate services for Albany LEAD clients. It brings together operational partners who are in direct contact with individual clients: case managers; Albany police officers; and leaders or representatives of the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender, and Albany County departments of Mental Health, Probation, and Social Services.

Trinity Alliance oversees both project management and community engagement for Albany LEAD.

Client Story

There are no standardized care plans for LEAD clients; each client determines their own goals.

A client became engaged with LEAD when they were homeless and about to be arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Initially they wanted to work on finding temporary shelter and obtaining Temporary Assistance for income. Alongside LEAD case managers, they achieved these goals and today have found permanent housing, obtained Social Security Disability benefits, entered and completed inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment, and found employment they enjoy.

Resources

Learn more about Albany LEAD and our impact.

NEW 2023 Annual Report
Eligibility Criteria
Referral Form
2023 Annual Report
Referral Form
Eligibility Criteria
Federal Grant

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion

Find more on how we are committed to public safety and health on the Albany Police Department website.

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Albany was the third locality in the nation to establish a LEAD program. Today, more than 60 jurisdictions across the United States are engaged in LEAD while dozens of others are developing or exploring the concept — including locations in the United Kingdom and South Africa. More information is available from the LEAD Support Bureau.

LEAD Support Bureau
LEAD Support Bureau

Contact

Get in touch with Co-Project Managers, Jennie Huling and Bob Ward, at Albany LEAD, c/o Albany County Department of Mental Health, 175 Green St., Albany NY 12202 or by email at [email protected]. Please expect a response within 1-2 business days.