County, city find site for crisis stabilization center
Journal of BusinessDec 20, 2019
The mental health crisis stabilization facility has been in the works for more than two years, says
The center likely will open in late 2020 or early 2021, following more than
The nearly 100-year-old, 15,000-square-foot building currently is vacant.
"It's a beautiful blank slate for us to remodel so that we are able to take advantage of floor-plan efficiencies for operating the facility, as well as complying with what the
In total,
Schmidt says the county also received a two-year,
"As long as the facility opens before the end of that particular grant, we could use that grant to offset any operational costs for the facility as it gets up and running," Schmidt says.
The county chose
Through
'This will be the first facility in the state that offers all of these components," Schmidt claims. "There are facilities throughout the state that offer pieces of the components ... but we realize that the more you can have (services) co-located, the better service you can provide, and the better chance that the individual is going to come out on the other side poised to re-enter our community."
The county is searching for partner organizations that can help those who have completed treatment to return to society while sticking to their treatment plans and remaining sober, Schmidt says.
The team tasked with finding a home for the mental health crisis stabilization facility decided the motor pool garage was a good fit due to its location, Schmidt says.
"It's a delicate balance. We want to make sure that individuals who are eligible and are offered this option in lieu of jail booking by a law enforcement officer are in close proximity to the county jail, but not too close," Schmidt says.
The building is less than a quarter-mile from the county jail, close enough that booking officers can escort a person who becomes violent or uncooperative.