Behavioral health crisis center back on track after funding "breakthrough"
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Rendering: Courtesy of The Centers and CPL
Cuyahoga County's long-delayed behavioral health crisis center is back on track, at least for the moment.
Why it matters: The region lacks a dedicated walk-in crisis center for people experiencing mental health or substance use emergencies.
State of play: A new center is under construction on the former St. Vincent Charity Medical Center campus, but the county's Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board has debated whether to invest long-term in the project.
- The board's new CEO Jason Joyce has expressed concerns that ongoing operational costs would jeopardize the county's broader service network.
Driving the news: The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County and the nonprofit The Centers, which will manage the facility, announced a "significant breakthrough" this week, paving the way for an agreement to open the Crisis Center.
- A special board meeting scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the project's future was canceled.
What they're saying: "This agreement reflects our shared commitment to building a robust crisis continuum of care for Cuyahoga County," Joyce and The Centers president Eric Morse said in a joint statement.
- "By working together, we are ensuring that individuals in our community have a safe, dignified place to receive care when they need it most."
The big picture: Crisis centers provide short-term chairs and treatment beds where first responders can bring people in crisis, reducing strain on emergency departments and law enforcement.
- There are roughly 20,000 emergency room visits each year tied to behavioral health crises in Cuyahoga County, per Ideastream.
What's next: Leaders say they are working to reduce financial risk tied to ARPA funds, pursue opioid settlement dollars and finalize operational details.
- Updated plans are expected in the coming weeks.