Department of Mental Health proposes folding public inebriate beds into crisis‑bed system, cites 988 and staffing considerations

Emily Haas, commissioner for the Department of Mental Health, told the committee that state agencies are proposing a phased effort to combine the public inebriate program (PIP) with the mental‑health crisis‑bed system to create a more efficient co‑occurring crisis response.

Haas said the PIP sites historically were not staffed for a 24/7 clinical response, while the crisis‑bed network is staffed continuously. With expansion of 988 and enhanced mobile crisis services — both intended to provide co‑occurring responses for substance use and mental‑health crises — the agencies see an opportunity to align and repurpose existing beds and staff. She said that the change is designed to increase the number of appropriate, non‑emergency settings for people in public intoxication or co‑occurring crisis situations.

Nut graf: The department plans to braid public‑inebriate grant dollars with existing…