The City of Atlanta is partnering with the Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) to facilitate outreach to individuals experiencing quality of life concerns related to mental health, substance use or extreme poverty. PAD responds to the following concerns: disturbances (such as someone yelling outside a business), public indecency (such as someone without clothes on in a public place), welfare (such as someone asking for food), mental health (such as someone who appears disoriented or talking to themselves), substance use (such as someone drinking liquor at a park bench), basic needs (such as someone in need of shelter), and public health (such as someone eating out of a dumpster).

• Availability: 7am – 7pm, Monday-Friday to community members in the City of Atlanta.

• Depending on the nature of the request, a PAD Harm Reduction team will respond to requests within 30 minutes; some requests, particularly those in frequently reported locations, may be designated as outreach requests. PAD will consider the urgency of the situation, the location, and team availability to prioritize requests.

• PAD Harm Reduction teams are trained social service professionals. They are not law enforcement or emergency responders. The PAD Harm Reduction Team will attempt to address individuals’ immediate needs and connect to resources, but will never transport or engage with an individual who does not consent.

• If contact information is provided to 311, the PAD staff will provide a report to the caller within 48 hours of engagement or attempted engagement. 

To request a community referral, please contact ATL311 at (404) 546-0311, select option 1 when prompted for the Supportive Services Team.

For more information about PAD, please click the link below. In addition, below is a PDF file of a Community Resource Guide. This guide identifies who you can call if you see a neighbor in need. It includes information on shelters, food pantries, COVID testing, and medical care in Atlanta, among other resources.

Community Resource Guide - 2022.pdf

Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative