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Northeastern Center tells DeKalb County it expanded crisis and transportation services in FY24
Summary
Steve Howell, director of Northeastern Center, told commissioners the center provided more than 5,200 rides for justice-involved residents in FY24 and opened a 24/7 crisis receiving and stabilization service (NEC CARES) in late 2023; county and center discussed funding sustainability and local impact.
Steve Howell, director of Northeastern Center, presented the center's FY24 annual report to the DeKalb County Commissioners on Jan. 6, saying the nonprofit continues to expand treatment and crisis services for DeKalb residents.
Howell told the board Northeastern Center operates a roughly $21 million budget and employs about 230 staff. The center’s transportation program—started in August 2022 to serve justice‑involved individuals—provided nearly 1,000 rides in its first year, about 5,225 rides in fiscal year 2024, and nearly 2,000 rides from July through November of the most recent fiscal year. Howell projected the current pace would yield roughly 4,700 rides for the current fiscal year.
Howell described NEC CARES, the crisis receiving and stabilization service that opened in December 2023 and moved to 24/7 operations in February 2024. From December 2023 through June 2024, the stabilization service had 247 admissions and the center recorded 151 admissions from July through October 2024, a sign Howell said that "word is getting out" and law-enforcement agencies value the drop-off alternative to jail or emergency departments.
On DeKalb-specific usage, Howell reported Northeastern Center served 1,272 DeKalb County residents in FY24 (a 5% increase from FY23), including about 246 youth and 114 inpatient hospitalizations of county residents. Centerwide, Howell said the organization served about 4,900 individuals in FY24 (a 4% increase over the prior year) and reported roughly 92% client satisfaction with services.
Commissioners asked about transportation scheduling, cost and whether the state grant that funds NEC’s rides will continue. Howell said the NEC Connect transportation program is funded by a separate state grant that currently extends through September 2026; the county-funded contract and grants support staff and vehicle costs and the center is monitoring sustainability.
Howell urged continued county support but said the center hopes to break even on the program and will track local impact with law enforcement and emergency departments going forward.
