Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Northeastern Center highlights crisis stabilization unit, transportation program and local service growth
Summary
Steve Howell of Northeastern Center reported the center provided nearly 5,000 individuals services center‑wide in 2024, opened a 23‑hour crisis stabilization unit (NEC Cares) that recorded 571 admissions in 2024 and delivered thousands of transportation rides for justice‑involved clients.
Steve Howell of the Northeastern Center updated the council on mental‑health services in the region, focusing on the center’s 23‑hour crisis stabilization unit and a high‑volume transportation program that supports justice‑involved clients.
Why it matters: the center diverts people from jail and emergency departments, provides crisis stabilization locally and offers transport that supports probation compliance — reducing broader costs and improving community responses to behavioral‑health crises.
Key points Howell presented:
- Scale: Northeastern Center serves nearly 5,000 individuals system‑wide (four counties) and about 1,272 individuals in DeKalb County last year, a 5% increase year over year.
- Crisis stabilization (NEC Cares): opened December 2023 and 24/7 from February 2024; 571 admissions in calendar year 2024 and 92 recorded diversions from jail or emergency departments. Howell cited a Blue & Company statewide estimate that similar stabilization units save $125 million statewide; the center estimated local savings of over $700,000 after subtracting unit expenses.
- Transportation program: launched August 2022 to provide transport for justice‑involved clients at no cost to the client; the program provided nearly 1,000 rides in its first year, over 5,000 rides in its second year and is projected to provide another ~4,700 rides in the current year. Howell noted the service helps avoid probation violations due to lack of transportation.
- Local operations: the center employs about 240 people region‑wide, with a $22 million budget; DeKalb County adjustments (charity care) totaled about $2.7 million in FY24. Center‑wide satisfaction from DeKalb County respondents was 92% last year, Howell said.
Council response: members praised the crisis unit and transportation program as community assets; one resident recounted a recent positive experience where the Cares unit provided timely help. Council members asked about facility visits and Howell offered to schedule an open house to accommodate privacy and HIPAA constraints.
Ending: Council thanked Howell and his staff; members emphasized continuing partnerships and the importance of sustained funding for crisis services and transportation.
