STEER Team
Montgomery County, through its Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has partnered with Stop, Triage, Engage, Educate and Rehabilitate (STEER) to work collaboratively with MC’s primary referral sources (Police Department, Emergency Departments, Emergency Medical Services and the Department of Correction/Rehabilitation) to provide MC residents with rapid response and linkage to treatment, coordination of services and Peer support to persons with substance mis-use and co-occurring disorders
Hospitals
Hospitals charge nurses and case managers engage with STEER when any substance misuse case comes into the hospital when the individual expresses interest in receiving treatment.
EMS
Refers residents to STEER with: non-fatal overdose and Obvious Opioid involved cases
POLICE DePARTMENT
Refers residents to STEER with:
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Obvious substance misuse
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Diversion- treatment over incarceration
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Overdose cases that are not being prosecuted
Our Story
STEER is a 24-hour substance-misuse Peer Support Response Team. We provide immediate, real-time support to individuals experiencing a substance-related crisis. Our team responds around the clock to referrals and activations from the Crisis Center, County Hospitals, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), , and the Police Department, ensuring that individuals receive compassionate, peer-led intervention at any hour of the day or night.
Through rapid engagement, lived-experience-based support, and linkage to treatment and community resources, STEER helps stabilize individuals, reduce repeated emergency calls, and promote safer outcomes for both clients and the community.
Meet the Team
The STEER team consists of four Peers, one Administrator, and one Supervisor. Each month, the team rotates 24/7 on-call coverage for one full week, ensuring continuous support for individuals in crisis.
When a recoveree is willing to engage, Peers develop and initiate an individualized Wellness Plan. They maintain weekly contact—either in person or by phone—to encourage change talk, offer recovery support, and foster motivation for healthier decision-making. Throughout the engagement, Peers introduce appropriate community resources, guide recoverees in accessing services, and teach them how to self-advocate and stay engaged in their recovery journey.
Cases remain open for up to six months, during which progress is monitored, goals are adjusted, and support is sustained. When a recoveree demonstrates stability, engagement, and completion of their Wellness Plan, the case is successfully closed.
