New York’s statewide adoption of crisis receiving and stabilization facilities was inspired by the success of a local model in Dutchess County. In 2017, the county opened a stabilization center funded by the county with state support and operated in collaboration with local partners, including a hospital and a peer-led mental health nonprofit. The center significantly reduced emergency department admissions and cut the county’s incarcerated population by 40%.
Building on this success, New York enacted legislation in 2021 to establish operating standards and licensing for Crisis Stabilization Centers (CSCs) under the state Mental Hygiene Law. Regulations and detailed guidance were issued in 2022 to define services, standards, and expectations for these facilities. The state is now establishing 21 CSCs, providing funding for start-up and implementation, with operations managed locally under state oversight.
