​​​​​What We Will Do:

The Guilford County Behavioral Health Crisis Collaborative, made up of Guilford County, Cone Health and Sandhills Center, are creating an innovative Behavioral Health Crisis Center using an integrated services model that will treat adults, children and adolescents in crisis and address their physical, mental and substance abuse issues. This will include a mental health urgent care center and two 16-bed facility-based crisis centers (one for adults and one for children and adolescents). These centers will provide comprehensive behavioral health services 24-hours a day, seven days a week. This holistic approach will include medical care, substance abuse treatment and other targeted and specialized treatment for mental health issues. This facility will also have space for outpatient services for adults, adolescents and children.

Who Is Involved:

Guilford County

Sandhills Center

Cone Health

Alexander Youth Network

When this Takes Place:

Construction of the future adult mental health urgent care center is underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2020. The facility plans to open to patients in spring 2021.

How We Will Do it:

The Behavioral Health Crisis Center will include a mental health urgent care center and two 16-bed facility-based crisis centers, one for adults and one for children and adolescents.  The centers will address both the behavioral and physical needs of those in crisis and reduce the load on local hospital emergency departments. 

Guilford County will hire a Behavioral Health Director to manage the Guilford County Behavioral Health Center, collaborate with other mental health organizations, service providers, law enforcement agencies, and interact and update the Board of Commissioners and other entities in the county and region on current pressing and future needs. The Director will provide direct supervision and oversight of Behavioral Health Center operations to ensure the delivery of services and compliance with program policies/regulations consistent with the center’s strategic plan and business plan. The Director of the center will be responsible for the development, implementation, administration and management of the program, development and implementation of organizational procedures and guidelines, approving all marketing materials and other program education, and oversee grant writing and client advocacy.

For provision of services, upon entry to the Behavioral Health Crisis Center, an assessment would take place, followed by triage, stabilization and the development of a safety plan. Following assessment and triage, a treatment plan would be developed, including linkage to care and community resources.  The adult facility will include three to five day admission, including acute detoxification as well as integrated physical and psychological care. Outpatient services will include group and individual therapy, as well as pharmacy and laboratory services.

Guilford County will cover the design and construction costs of the adult crisis center and Cone Health will serve as the service provider. Similarly, the county covered the design and construction costs of the child/adolescent crisis center and Alexander Youth Network was chosen through a request for proposal process to provide treatment to children and adolescents. Adult service provision is projected to start in early 2021, followed by the child service provision in March. Organizational steps to follow include securing accreditation, hiring staff, developing policies and procedures. The partnership will seek additional financial assistance from the State of North Carolina and other grantees and donors.