New York City is pioneering two Support and Connection Centers to give first responders an alternative to avoidable emergency room visits or criminal justice interventions. The centers offer short-term clinical and non-clinical services to people with mental health and substance use needs, and promotes community-based and person-centered engagement, stabilization and connection to services. Guests (defined as people who were referred to, eligible for, and chose to receive services at a Center) are offered mental health, medical, substance use and peer support services; help with basic needs; and discharge planning. Length of stay varies from a few hours to a few days depending on the guest’s needs. The East Harlem Support and Connection Center opened in February 2020, suspended in-person operations from March to October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and re-opened with modified services in late October 2020. In July 2022, the center began operating at full capacity and the second center opened in the Bronx with limited capacity.