Committee hears about peer support, mobile crisis and adapting contingency management for equity

County program staff and presenters described the county's peer‑support certification programs and mobile crisis teams that pair licensed clinicians with peer specialists. Christopher John, who oversees Project Alliance, said Westchester has a 'wealth of peer services' and that Medicaid reimburses for peer support, enabling expansion.

Dr. Darius Ihinyancho raised contingency management — a reward‑based behavioral intervention proven effective for stimulant use — and argued the model must be adapted so communities of color will engage with and 'own' it rather than face punitive options. He said implementation must start from community co‑design and include culturally appropriate assessments and navigation supports.

Speakers emphasized prevention alongside crisis response: faith‑based, school and community outreach aim to reduce mobile‑crisis encounters, while peer navigation and Medicaid‑reimbursed services can increase sustained engagement in care.