DBHDD: Macon IDD crisis stabilization center near opening; forensic restoration beds online

Kevin Tanner, commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, updated the committee on FY25 amended items and operational initiatives including an IDD crisis stabilization center in Macon and increased forensic restoration capacity.

Tanner said the Macon center will have 16 inpatient beds to stabilize individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who present in emergency rooms and often cannot be placed directly in community homes. "This will be 16 beds, inpatient beds, that we will have open to bring individuals there to that center to stabilize them. We will have all the doctors and nurses and behavioral health therapy, therapists that can provide both physical health, mental health, IDD services there at the center," Tanner said. He described typical stays of around 90 days with step-down transitions to community placements and noted an outpatient/training partnership with Mercer Medical School to create a training institute and telehealth supports.

Tanner also briefed the committee on a reduction in FY25 state funding tied to the Macon center because construction costs were lower than budgeted and on a $436,920 reduction recognizing that the renovated Dodge County RYDC restoration facility has opened and is receiving patients after adding 30 beds.

Ending: Tanner said the Macon center remains on schedule for a March opening and that the agency will continue work on telehealth links and workforce training in partnership with Mercer.