Frederick County officials describe 24/7 walk-in crisis center and early impacts

Frederick County health officials told Baltimore County’s VC Stat meeting that their county-operated walk-in crisis center has expanded to 24/7 service and is reducing unnecessary emergency department visits.

Frederick County Behavioral Health Director Andrea Walker and Susie Borg, director of crisis services at the Mental Health Association, described the center’s timeline, services and outcomes and answered questions about funding and next steps.

The crisis center began with limited hours after a small startup grant and later expanded through state crisis grant funding. "Our vision for this walk in center was to provide crisis focused interventions in a safe environment for anyone," Susie Borg said. She said the center was intended to provide face-to-face, immediate access without barriers such as cost or payment source and to reduce unnecessary ED visits.

Borg summarized the center’s growth: it began with 56 hours per week and two crisis specialists, expanded to 76…