The New York State Office of Mental Health has conditionally awarded $6 million to launch behavioral health crisis response pilot programs in three communities across the state, the agency announced Feb. 18, with the goal of shifting crisis calls toward a health-led rather than law enforcement-led response.

The funding provides $2 million each to the city of Rochester, Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services and Children’s Home of Jefferson County, according to the Office of Mental Health. The agency said the awards are designed to help urban, suburban and rural communities establish crisis response services for behavioral health emergencies, and that the pilot programs will incorporate trained behavioral health professionals and peers into crisis response.

The money is part of recommendations from the state’s Daniel’s Law Task Force report.