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Montgomery County approves lease guarantee for 24/7 emergency behavioral health center
Summary
The Board approved a three‑year county guarantee and related documents to back a lease for an emergency behavioral health center that county officials say will provide 24/7 crisis care, fast responder drop‑off and reduce emergency department reliance.
Montgomery County commissioners on Sept. 4 approved a resolution authorizing a three‑year county guarantee for the lease of an emergency behavioral health center that county staff said will offer round‑the‑clock crisis services for adults and children.
Miss Sanders, representing the county Department of Health and Human Services, told commissioners the model follows national best practice: someone to call (crisis hotlines), someone to respond (mobile crisis teams) and somewhere to go (the center). She said the facility will feature separate spaces and tailored interventions for children and adults, a no‑turn‑away policy, and a fast responder drop‑off designed to let police and other first responders leave in under 15 minutes.
“Today, if someone were to experience a child or an adult behavioral health crisis, they were going to need to rely on the already overburdened emergency departments,” Sanders said. She added the county awarded the RFP to Connections PA, which has secured appropriately zoned space and will subcontract required construction work; Connections will be the leaseholder and the county will provide the three‑year guarantee.
County staff said roughly $21 million in start‑up funding has been identified, with about $15 million allocated for renovations; those funds consist primarily of HealthChoices reinvestment dollars and project‑specific grants that must be used for the center. Officials said anticipated ongoing operating costs will be covered largely by Medicaid (HealthChoices), commercial insurance and additional state grants. Presenters said similar centers in other jurisdictions have reduced unnecessary emergency department visits by about 53 percent.
Commissioner Winder moved the resolution; Commissioner DeBello seconded. The board approved the lease guarantee by voice vote.
The board directed county staff to provide follow‑up details on construction timelines and transportation plans for moving people to and within the site. County officials said they will provide quarterly updates to the board during implementation.
