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Harris Center seeks to preserve crisis and diversion services as ARPA and other time‑limited funds end
Summary
Harris Center director asked commissioners to maintain a $24.1 million allocation that matches state funds and supports crisis, jail diversion and residential capacity; director warned ARPA expirations and rising inpatient costs could strain bed availability.
Harris Center leadership asked commissioners to maintain the county’s allocated funding level and highlighted programmatic strain as ARPA and other temporary funds expire.
‘‘Our request is to maintain the allocated funding of $24,067,171,’’ the director said, noting the county allocation serves partly as a local match to draw larger state dollars for behavioral health. The director also outlined that the agency delivers contracted county services (about $33 million in services delivered on county contracts) and that the Harris Center’s larger budget relies primarily on state mental health and federal sources.
The director described operational achievements and demand: the center served more than 96,000 unique people last year, has diverted more than 14,000 people through its jail diversion center over seven years, and recorded more than 12,000 psychiatric emergency visits at the neuropsychiatric center last year. The agency completed acquisition of supported‑living beds (about 190 transitional beds) and is building a facility to serve children involved with the state child welfare system.
Directors said ARPA‑funded positions ended earlier in the year and that more ARPA roles will phase out later in FY2026; the center worked to reassign some affected staff to other openings when possible. The agency also reported pressure from rising inpatient bed costs and said discussions are underway with primary inpatient contractors on bed counts and financial sustainability.
Ending: The Harris Center asked the court to maintain the county allocation to preserve crisis response, jail diversion and care coordination services and to continue partnering with county offices to match state and federal funding where possible.
