Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones toured and met with staff at Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center, a new regional mental health and substance use disorder treatment center partially funded by “Big Four” opioid settlement dollars that were a result of a multistate investigation of opioid manufacturers and distributors.
The Center is a partnership among Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties that is open 24/7, 365 days a year, and specializes in providing walk-in and short-term crisis stabilization and emergency treatment for adults and children in the safest and least restrictive setting.
“When someone is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, they need three things: someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go. Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center will fill a crucial need in behavioral health care in the region by providing both a mobile response unit to be dispatched to individuals in need and a walk-in center that provides appropriate, trauma-informed care when it is needed, easing barriers to care during a crisis,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “DHS applauds county leadership for their commitment to improving the lives of their communities, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to increase access to behavioral health care services across Pennsylvania.”
The crisis walk-in center is a collaboration among Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry County Commissioners. DHS’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services awarded the counties nearly $13.1 million in Community Mental Health Block Grant American Rescue Plan Act funding and $5.5 million in funding from Capital Area Behavioral Health Collaborative reinvestment funds. This investment underscores the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to strengthening the behavioral services field so Pennsylvanians can access care with greater ease when it is needed.
In addition, DDAP awarded the Dauphin County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services nearly $2 million in grant funding to establish or expand crisis stabilization services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (SUD), which is also being invested in the opening and operating of the walk-in center.
The county’s drug and alcohol office is the Single County Authority (SCA) for drug and alcohol services in Dauphin County. The SCA’s mission is to serve those affected with SUD by providing high quality prevention, intervention, treatment services and recovery supports in Dauphin County.
“DDAP is proud to be part of this effort to open another door for care when someone needs it most,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “This walk-in center will not only break down barriers in the behavioral health continuum of care, but also reduce the burden on first responders, law enforcement, and emergency departments and provide timely care to individuals in need.”
