Ithaca Sets New ROOTS

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

VNS Health

Originally the “Visiting Nurse Service of New York”, VNS Health traces its public health roots all the way back to 1893. “That’s longer than the subway system, before the Yankees and only 10 years after the Brooklyn Bridge opened.”

The VNS behavioral health mobile crisis program is quite mature as well, having begun operation in 1988, making it a 38 year old program. For over two decades, this program was the only non-hospital mobile crisis operation in New York City.

Today their adult and children mobile crisis teams serve the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. We welcome VNS Health to AMSA!

AMSA MEETINGS

Georgia State Collective - Sign-up: ZOOM
Date/Time: July 31, 10:00 AM ET

Upcoming in-person meeting in Atlanta at The Carter Center
Date/Time: August 18 - Logistical details to come
Facilitated by Dietra Hawkins

Colorado State Collective Sign-up: ZOOM
Date/Time: September 16, 3:00 pm MT, facilitated by Samantha Bunecke

Illinois State Collective Sign-up: ZOOM
Date/Time: TBD, 2:00 PM CT, facilitated by Alexander Heaton

Oregon State Collective Sign-up: ZOOM
Date/Time: TBD, 3:00 PM PT, facilitated by Andre Miller

Data Special Interest Group Sign-up: ZOOM
Date/Time: August 19, 2026 10:00 AM PT

HEADLINES

ITHACA - Recruitment Begins for New ROOTS Community Responders (press release)

ROOTS, short for Responders Offering Outreach, Trust, and Support, is a community responder model designed to provide a non-police response to certain non-violent calls for service. The program is a central component of Ithaca’s Reimagining Public Safety initiative and reflects several years of planning, community input, and policy direction.

Read more