ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Starting on Thursday, March 27th, Tompkins County Whole Health will launch a new community outreach worker program that will work to help people facing a mental health crisis in the City. Tompkins County announced on Monday, March 24th that REACH Medical has been awarded the contract to oversee the program, which is currently slated to last for a year. 

“The outreach worker role provides valuable supports for members of the public to connect them with essential services and increases availability and visibility of trained crisis responders with boots on the ground," Harmony Ayers-Friedlander, TCWH Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health.

Once the program kicks off, REACH Community Outreach Workers will be stationed in downtown Ithaca, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, with clinical backup available until 8pm. However, TCWH said the hours and days are subject to change based on community needs. 

 “This program will support City and County residents in accessing a broad array of critical services and resources already embedded within our community. The City of Ithaca values this continued partnership with Tompkins County and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance to bolster community supports and looks forward to supporting REACH,"said Deb Mohlenhoff, city Manager for the City of Ithaca.

According to TCWH, REACH’s program is designed to build upon the successful Community Outreach Worker and Rural Outreach Worker programs previously operated by Family and Children’s Service of Ithaca. The idea behind the program is that staff will provide de-escalation and emotional support, food, clothing and other basic need items, as well as connections to resources and services to help resolve chronic or immediate health-related social needs. 

“Our Community Outreach Worker program will provide a consistent presence on the Commons and the surrounding blocks of downtown Ithaca. Our outreach workers are trained in crisis intervention, de/escalation and trauma-informed care, and are well-versed in connecting people with community resources. They will provide a safe space for people to land when they are in moments of stress or in need of harm reduction support. REACH Medical prides itself on being a trusted resource in our community, especially among the homeless population. We see the Community Outreach Worker program as an extension of services we are already providing and know we will be able to use this service to continue to meet the needs of our community members," said REACH Medical’s Director of Operations Samantha Stevenson.

For more information please call 607-317-0100 email commonsoutreach@reachmed.org. 

Alternatively, people can call REACH at their main line 607-273-7000, ext. 120.