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Palm Beach County boards outline $145M crisis center plan, cite pediatric-bed gaps
Summary
County and health boards described a planned $145 million mental‑health crisis center on 100 Benoist Farms Road, noted a $10 million ARPA contribution, estimated annual operating costs of about $35 million, and said pediatric Baker Act beds will be available in-county only after NBH converts adult beds — expected March or April 2026.
Palm Beach County officials and health leaders on Monday announced plans for a consolidated mental‑health crisis center and outlined interim steps to address shortages of pediatric Baker Act beds. Darcy Davis, CEO of the Health Care District, said staff have purchased land at 100 Benoist Farms Road and estimate a capital investment of about $145,000,000.
"We have purchased the land at 100 Benoist Farms Road," Davis said. "This is about $145,000,000 investment from a capital perspective." She added the county has provided roughly $10,000,000 in ARPA funds toward that capital cost and that the district expects about $35,000,000 a year in operating costs once the facility is open.
Why it matters: County commissioners, school leaders and representatives of the Children’s Services Council said a single, best‑practice crisis center would consolidate emergency crisis care, jail and ER diversion, and urgent outpatient services — making it easier for law enforcement, first responders and families to find appropriate care. Board members said consolidated capacity should reduce out‑of‑county placements and shorten traumatic separations for children.
The Health Care District told the joint meeting it is building the center to include low‑intensity observation pods for children, co‑located outpatient services, and a distinct treatment track for adults. Davis said walk‑in urgent care services are already available at the district’s Mangonia Park location seven days a week.
Interim pediatric capacity: The county and health district acknowledged a continuing gap for children under 12 who are Baker‑acted. Davis said those children currently are screened at JFK North and in many cases transported out of Palm Beach County. She said the Neurobehavioral Hospital partner (NBH) is converting some adult beds into pediatric beds and that staff expect those beds to be operational in March or April 2026, pending licensing and construction.
Commissioners raised practical concerns about family access and trauma caused by separation. "When you send a child to Martin County and if a parent doesn't have transportation, trying to get there to visit them ... they are really truly separated," School Board member Erica Whitfield said. County officials said they are piloting mobile response teams with the sheriff’s office and continuing MOUs with law enforcement to provide non‑ambulance transport options where appropriate.
Next steps: Davis said the district is in the planning and design phase and expected the board to approve a construction contractor the following day. Staff and board members said they will continue coordinated planning, pursue workforce development to staff specialized pediatric services, and use the crisis center as a training hub.
Budget and timeline: Davis described the capital estimate and operating‑cost projection as planning figures subject to change during design and permitting. She said the facility’s public opening is targeted for late 2028 to 2029 but cautioned that licensing, contracts and construction could affect timing.
The meeting closed with requests from board members for more detail on transportation plans, workforce recruitment for specialized child‑behavior clinicians, and interim transport options until in‑county pediatric beds are fully licensed and operating.
