Individuals dealing with mental health or substance abuse problems may find themselves consistently involved in the criminal justice system. A program used in municipalities across upstate New York — and now launching in Dutchess County — is trying to get folks the help they just can’t get behind bars.

In the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County’s Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral and Community Health Jean Marie Niebuhr said the new LEAD program will put people in touch with a case worker instead of a parole officer.

“We have really unprecedented levels of need for individuals with behavioral health challenges,” Niebuhr said.

LEAD is a program that's been adopted in 11 municipalities throughout New York state, in addition to those across the country.

It’s a diversionary program, serving people with low-level crimes that need mental health or substance abuse help. They can be recommended by a police officer to enter the program.

“It’s a very low barrier, low-threshold program. So all the individual has to do is just say, OK, I'm willing to try," Niebuhr said. "And there really is no commitment that they're having to go to, say, an office or keep an appointment, because the case managers are going and doing that on the street with them.”

The program is highly personalized for individuals that go through it, so success is defined by the individual entering LEAD.

“It would be if they're homeless and they're looking for housing, the case manager can help them find housing if the person has a substance use disorder," Niebuhr said. "And if they are interested in going to treatment, they will connect them to treatment. They can drive them to treatment.”

According to the LEAD National Support Bureau, LEAD participants have shown to be 58% less likely to be arrested after enrolling in the program.

“The truth of the matter is, is that one of the things we recognize is that punishment and coercion are really found when it comes to addiction, mental health and poverty,” said Brendan Cox, LEAD Support Bureau director of police strategies.

Niebuhr said the program has been proven in areas across the country.

With the pilot program kicking off in the city of Poughkeepsie, she hopes success there will mean more people can escape what has become cycle for many who enter the criminal justice system.

“Keeping track of what we need to do differently, what's working, what's not working, and ultimately, if the data points us in the direction and we believe it will start to expand to other areas of the county,” Niebuhr said.

Dutchess County’s program launched in February. Niebuhr said since then, LEAD has been able to connect with more than 20 folks in Poughkeepsie.