Dane County leaders announce $10M in funding for Crisis Triage Center
MADISON, Wis. — Dane County Executive Joe Parisi on Monday announced $10 million in funding for a Crisis Triage Center to help combat behavioral health issues, saying better resources will help people stay out of the criminal justice system while getting the care they need.
People will be able to receive care at the facility by referral from community partners, being brought in by law enforcement, or walking in themselves.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the physical health and emotional well-being of far too many in our community. One of the many long-term unknowns from this period of time is what the behavioral health impacts will be for decades to come,” Parisi said. “Investing $10 million for site acquisition, planning, and development of the Crisis Triage Center will bolster mental and behavioral health services in our community, keeping people out of the criminal justice system and in services suited to address the barriers they face.”
The proposal is the single largest item in Parisi’s 2022 capital budget. Parisi said he’s dedicating an additional $1 million for operational needs when the center opens.
In addition to the funding for the CTC, Parisi announced the creation of a Division of Behavioral Health that will be integrated into the county’s Department of Human Services in 2022. Parisi’s 2022 budget also includes more than $500,000 in funding to get the division staffed and running. Overseeing the development of the CTC will be one of the division’s primary initiatives.
An organization called Recovery Innovations is working on a comprehensive analaysis of the county’s resources and will share an implementation plan for the CTC that includes recommended programming, according to a news release.
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