The crisis stabilization center will comprise approximately 23,000 square feet of free standing, new construction built for the purpose of the provision of urgent and emergent behavioral health…

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Congressionally Recommended Awards program (CFDA 16.753) provides $1,000,000 to The County of Bucks in Doylestown, Pennsylvania to establish a Crisis Stabilization Center. The center will offer 24/7 urgent and emergent behavioral health assessment, stabilization, and crisis services for adults and children residing in central and lower Bucks County. Services will include mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability treatment, as well as medical evaluation, laboratory testing, medication management, counseling, and peer/recovery support. The center will also operate a regional 988 suicide and crisis lifeline call center. Expected outcomes include reduced emergency department/inpatient utilization, decreased jail access for behavioral health emergencies, and improved connection to community-based resources. The award period is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.

The crisis stabilization center will comprise approximately 23,000 square feet of free standing, new construction built for the purpose of the provision of urgent and emergent behavioral health assessment and stabilization services. The target population will be adults and children who reside in central and lower bucks county and who are experiencing mental health, drug/alcohol, and developmental disability behavioral health challenges. The center will employ a 24/7 no wrong door approach where community members can receive lifesaving treatment and/or connection to other community-based services as needed. Assessment and triage will be provided under licensure through the office of mental health and substance use services (omhsas) as a walk-in crisis center and stabilization activities over 23 hours will be provided under an omhsas crisis residential license. Drug/alcohol services will be delivered under the requirements of the department of drug and alcoholprograms (ddap) and will include licensed withdrawal management. In conjunction with the nearby hospital, medical evaluation and clearance will be conducted as needed. Routine laboratory studies inclusive of urine/drug screenings, pregnancy testing, and phlebotomy services will be available at the center. Psychiatry/telepsychiatry/certified nurse practitioner services will be available for medication management and processing of individuals brought in by law enforcement under an involuntary mental health commitment petition. Short-term/brief counseling and certified peer and recovery support will also be made available to individuals at the center. In addition, as part of its urgent/emergent care, the center will incorporate a call center which will not only provide telephonic triage and support but will function as a regional 988 suicide and crisis lifeline center. This center will provide law enforcement and community members a much needed and more effective alternative to emergency room care/boarding and diversion from expensive inpatient care and the county correctional facility. Through the implementation of trauma-informed and evidence-based clinical interventions, expected outcomes include reduced emergency department/inpatient utilization, reduced access of jail for forensically involved behavioral health emergencies, and more timely connection to needed community resources.