Spokane County plans new crisis relief center to support mental health and sobering services

The Spokane County SRLJC meeting held on January 14, 2025, focused on several key initiatives aimed at improving local services and addressing ongoing challenges. The meeting began with discussions regarding the slow rollout of a new program, which has faced delays as the state adjusts its timelines. Eric Green, the project manager, is set to present at the next meeting to provide updates on the program's development and its potential benefits for billing state services.

The conversation then shifted to the establishment of a crisis relief and sobering center, designed to provide mental health support and sobering services for first responders and the public. This facility aims to operate for nearly 24 hours a day and will be located adjacent to the existing Spokane Stabilization Center. The selection process for a design firm is currently underway, with interviews scheduled for January 14.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the therapeutic court dashboard, which is in the preparatory stages. Tim reported that data collection is ongoing, and the committee is eager to move forward with analyzing success rates and attendance metrics.

The meeting concluded with updates on staffing within various departments. While some members reported being fully staffed, others, like Colin, noted ongoing recruitment efforts to fill vacancies.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the county's commitment to enhancing mental health services and improving operational efficiencies, despite facing challenges in program implementation and staffing. Further updates are anticipated as projects progress and new initiatives are launched.