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.
  
  

• 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.

For more information about the PAD Initiative, please click the link below or email info@atlantapad.org. To request a community referral for an individual experiencing a quality of life concern, please contact ATL311 at (404) 546-0311, select option 1 when prompted for the Supportive Services Team.

For media requests, please email media@atlantapad.org and visit www.atlantapad.org/press-room.

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