MHAST Program Expands Behavioral Health Crisis Response Across Broome County with New Mobile Crisis Van

$1 Million Annual Investment Expands Community-Based Behavioral Health Crisis Response Across Broome County

(BROOME COUNTY, NY) - Broome County, the City of Binghamton, and the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier (MHAST) today highlighted the expansion of MHAST's Mobile Crisis Program, which is bringing increased behavioral health crisis response directly into communities across Broome County.

The expanded program officially took effect April 1, 2026, through a new five-year funding award totaling $1 million annually, with funding provided by Broome County. The investment has allowed MHAST to significantly increase staffing and response capacity, including two-person response teams and dedicated Mobile Crisis vehicles.

Mobile Crisis operates seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., providing community-based behavioral health crisis response for individuals experiencing a crisis. Trained crisis staff respond directly to individuals where they are and provide crisis assessment, de-escalation and stabilization, safety planning, linkage to services, and coordination with community providers and emergency services as needed.

The expansion is also reflected in the new Mobile Crisis vehicle now being deployed throughout the community. The City of Binghamton provided $100,000 in funding to support the upfitting of the Mobile Crisis van, helping MHAST build the infrastructure needed to expand its response.

The expansion represents an important part of Broome County's broader behavioral health crisis continuum, providing another option for individuals experiencing a crisis and helping connect them with appropriate care in the community.

MHAST is also continuing work on its soon to be open Crisis Stabilization Center, which will provide an additional resource for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

"When someone is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, getting them the right help at the right time can make all the difference," said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. "This investment allows MHAST to put trained professionals directly in our communities, where they can respond to people in crisis, help stabilize the situation, and connect them with the care they need. We're proud to make this kind of investment in our community and to work with MHAST and the City of Binghamton to strengthen the behavioral health crisis system across Broome County."

City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said, "Today marks an important step forward in expanding mental health services for Binghamton and the Southern Tier. The City's investment in the mobile crisis team will help ensure residents in crisis receive support quickly, safely and conveniently. Binghamton is proud to partner with MHAST to deliver these critical resources that our community needs and deserves."

"This expansion allows us to bring crisis services directly to people where they are," said Kaitlyn Andrews, MHAST Executive Director. "It also gives our community more options for support when they need them most. We're incredibly grateful for the investment of Broome County and the City of Binghamton, and for the strong partnerships with law enforcement and others across our community that make this work possible"

"When someone is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, it is essential that they can access the right care at the right time. The expansion of MHAST's Mobile Crisis Program strengthens our crisis continuum and allows us to bring support directly to individuals in the community, helping connect them to the services and resources they need," said Liz Warneck, Commissioner of the Broome County Department of Mental Health.