‘We’ll help you navigate.’ How a new facility aims to ‘transform crisis services’ in Centre County
Beginning this month, Centre County residents will have 24/7 access to support and resources with the opening of a walk-in crisis assessment center.
The facility — located at 2100 E. College Ave. — will be managed by the Center for Community Resources, a licensed crisis provider based in Butler County, and will provide 24-hour service for individuals who are experiencing mental health and wellness crises.
Hoping to open by next week after a final inspection, CCR Director of Programs Shanon Quick said the center will enhance the county’s human resources by focusing on individual clients’ needs and steer away from hospitalization.
“Our vision with this service was really to transform crisis services into something that’s a welcoming, safe environment for people, to break down those barriers that individuals who contact crisis are going into the hospital,” Quick said Monday during a tour of the facility for media. “We just really want people to utilize this space and feel comfortable coming here and feel that this is a great place to come to get resources.”
Equipped with counselors, a lending library, a kitchenette, computer lab and a wall of brochures, the assessment center aims to connect residents with county resources, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
But the facility aims to address more than mental health services. Program Manager Tammy Harrington said the center will focus on each individual who walks through their doors.
“What we want to offer is a warm, safe place for people to come in and get what they need,” Harrington said. “Whether that’s mental health services, whether that’s a cup of soup because they haven’t eaten that day. Maybe that’s their crisis or the tipping point for their crisis.”
With at least two counselors working at all times, Harrington said staff will work together with clients to figure out how to address their needs. Funded by the county and the Human Services Block Grant Plan, there is no charge or limit on how many times an individual comes to the center. In August, the Centre County Board of Commissioners approved a $694,981 contract with CCR to open the facility.
“We’ll sit down with them if they want to sit down with us and just let them talk and figure out where to go from there,” Harrington said. “It’s not a rush.”
After nearly a year discussing the gaps in Centre County’s mental health system and a conversation on mental health, officials hope the facility will address community needs and concerns by enhancing the existing system.
Quick said the center has invited its partners — adult services, Housing Transitions and Strawberry Fields — to utilize the space to meet with clients. With counselors and information for local food banks, YMCA memberships and child care, Quick said the facility aims to “look at the whole person” and pinpoint potential causes of crisis and ways to help.
“That person leaves with a plan, with a goal of what’s going to happen,” Quick said. “We’ll set up those appointments and make sure that they are connected. Really, it is about generating a place for that community connection. Sometimes, people really feel isolated and don’t know where to go, and when you’re struggling with depression, navigating that system can be really difficult. Here’s a solid place that you can come. We’ll help you navigate. We’ll help you get connected.”
After an individual leaves, Harrington said staff will follow up within a few days to see if they need anything else.
“It doesn’t end when they walk out our door,” Harrington said.
With a separate phone line for Centre County police departments, including the Penn State Police Department, Quick said the center has direct contact with local law enforcement in the event of a security concern or if there is a need to connect with a counselor. The State College Police Department has also provided the facility with free gun locks in an effort to lower the county’s suicide rate by increasing safety. The space will also be included on the county’s crisis intervention training tour.
Commissioners Mark Higgins and Steve Dershem said they are optimistic about the impact the facility will have in the community and grateful to have it based between State College and Bellefonte.
“We believe it’s a great concept,” Higgins said. “But in an entrepreneurial way, we’ve built it. Now, we’re going to see if people are going to come.”
This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 12:55 PM.
