Commission approves $1 million to build new childrenand youth crisis center in Orange Mound area

Shelby County commissioners voted to reallocate $1 million from the sheriffs restricted personnel budget to Alliance Healthcare Services to support construction of a new children and youth behavioral health crisis center.

The board approved the measure after committee recommendation. The funding is intended to support a facility for children ages 4 to 17 that Alliance expects to open in the first quarter of 2026 at 3200 Broad Avenue (entrance on Bridal Avenue). Alliance and the sheriffs office described the building as adjacent to an existing adult crisis facility on the same campus; the new childrens center will contain 15 beds. Alliance said the facility will accept emergency referrals 24 hours a day from police, ambulance, family members and others and that no one will be turned away for inability to pay.

The item drew multiple sponsors and passed on the roll call with nine ayes; one commissioner recused and another abstained. Sponsors included Commissioners Amber Mills and Erica Sugarman; other commissioners added their names during the meeting. Several commissioners said they viewed the center as an alternative to juvenile system involvement for youth in behavioral health crisis and urged partnerships with state and local agencies to support operations.

Chief Administrative Officer Alicia Lindsey said the funding represents a partnership between the sheriffs office and Alliance, and Alliance's Executive Director Mark Billingsley confirmed the projected opening timeline. Commissioners asked that Alliance share operational details and any memoranda of understanding with court and law enforcement partners; they also requested data on projected referrals and outcome metrics for future reports to the commission.

The resolution passed; funds will be appropriated from FY2025 general fund dollars in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 and executed as a contract with Alliance Healthcare Services.