Rochester Crisis Team Plans to Hire New Peer Navigators
The local team is expanding its workforce to provide peer support for residents during mental health crises.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The Rochester Person in Crisis team is planning to hire new peer navigators after a recent community feedback session held at the Stardust Ballroom. These new staff members will be supported by funding provided under New York state's Daniel's Law.
Why it matters
This expansion aims to enhance the city's crisis response capabilities by integrating individuals with lived experience into the support process. The new funding allows the team to build on five years of experience providing intervention services via 988.
The Person in Crisis team has provided support via 988 for five years, an operational history now augmented by new state funding. The specific number of new peer navigator roles to be filled remains under investigation.
The players
Person in Crisis team
A Rochester-based response group that manages local mental health crisis interventions.
The details
Peer navigators are professionals who leverage their own lived experiences to build rapport and trust with individuals during acute mental health crises. By working alongside existing responders, these navigators help bridge the gap between initial intervention and long-term care. This expansion is supported by state-level resources allocated through Daniel's Law, which seeks to prioritize health-centered responses to crisis situations.
Timeline
The community engagement session occurred on Wednesday evening, October 21, 2026.
Health Landscape
This move represents a shift toward health-first crisis management by aligning local operations with the mandates of Daniel's Law. It mirrors a broader trend of integrating peer-led support models into existing 988 emergency infrastructure.
Residents in need of immediate support can access the team by dialing 988 or using the online chat service. If you have questions about how these services coordinate with your ongoing care, discuss available local resources with your physician or primary care provider.
The takeaway
Peer navigators add a valuable layer of lived experience to crisis intervention teams. If you or someone you know is in distress, remember that help is available at any time by calling or texting 988.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in the Substance Abuse section.
More information
For immediate mental health support, visit the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
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