STAGE OF ENGAGEMENT: IMPLEMENTING
LEAD enhances safety, health, and equity by building a community-based alternative to jail and prosecution for people whose behavior stems from unmet needs related to substance use, mental health challenges, or extreme poverty.
The LEAD Initiative
LEAD is a systems change initiative that sits at the intersection of public safety, public health, and racial justice.
Guided by community stakeholders, LEAD provides a new pathway to long-term, community-based care for people who commit, or are at high risk of committing, law violations related to their behavioral health challenges and/or income instability.
The Intent
- Save money and increase capacity for Police Departments by minimizing the use of Police resources on frequently arrested individuals.
- Make communities safer by addressing the root causes of people’s crimes with comprehensive case management.
- Spur the collaboration of regional stakeholders to improve public health policies on a systems level.
The Impact
- 16 Municipalities Participating
- 208 People Referred to LEAD
- 68% Decrease in Reincarceration Recidivism
- $60,426 of Cost Savings for Police Departments in 2024
The Stakeholders
- Policy Coordinating Group (PCG): Allegheny County Executive, City of Pittsburgh, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Magistrates, Probation & Parole Office, Allegheny County Jail, Department of Human Services, Health Department, Municipal Leaders, Social Workers, and Advocacy Groups
- Operation Working Groups: Police Chiefs representing 16 municipalities
- Community Referral Partners: Nonprofits & Community Organizations across the County who submit LEAD Referrals
The Resources
- Resources offered: Housing, Job Preparation, Legal Services, Treatment, Financial Training, Food Access, Medication, and Healthcare
- Comprehensive Case Management: Provided for as long as Participants want. Case Managers have small caseloads and engage with Participants multiple times per week.
- Community Support: LEAD Participants benefit from being part of a program supported by their district magistrates, police officers, and the entire case management agency. They have a village lifting them up.
“There’s always something in the background to these charges. There’s housing, mental health, physical health, poverty… If we continually focus on only the legal issues and incarceration, we’re not solving any of the other issues.” — Pittsburgh Attorney
– Pittsburgh Criminal Justice Attorney
LEAD Introductory Video
ACTION ITEMS
- Individuals: Read our LEAD Meeting Minutes & Subscribe to the LEAD Newsletter
- Nonprofits: Reach out to take advantage of this no-cost resource and become a Community Referral Partner
- Police Officers: Connect with us to learn how to offer this no-cost program in your municipality
To reach out, send an email to
- Joey Brantle, LEAD Project Director – joey@connectgovs.org
- Kelley Kelley, Public Safety & Wellbeing Director – kelley@connectgovs.org
We look forward to bringing the LEAD program to your community!
