DeKalb shifts temporary day center to New Life Community Alliance; Claritel tapped for behavioral health services

DeKalb County’s PEX committee approved a venue change June 1 to operate a temporary South DeKalb day center at New Life Community Alliance (3592 Flatsh Road), a 10,700-square-foot facility, after the originally planned host, Peace Baptist Church, withdrew.

Director Mitchell told the committee Peace Baptist’s board expressed concern that hosting the day center could affect a larger campus project and investor support, prompting staff to propose New Life as an alternative. The change to New Life, staff said, reduces the county’s previously budgeted costs by roughly $23,000, largely because New Life has an on-site kitchen and showers that eliminate some county operational expenses; the county will pay a seven-month lease while funding operations and wraparound services for 12 months.

The county is recommending a contract with Claritel (also transcribed as Clarel/Clarell) to provide behavioral health services; staff described Claritel’s key capability as linking clients into the state behavioral health portal so individuals can be connected to crisis stabilization and state-funded outpatient services. Staff said Claritel’s scope will include one case manager on site six days a week and noted a $75,000 contract figure for those services.

Commissioners pressed staff on logistics. Commissioner Robert Patrick and others asked about transit access; staff said a MARTA stop is near New Life and that an existing FastTrack/Frontline transportation allocation of $200,000 (embedded in the day center plan) will be used and modified to serve the new location, but acknowledged that transportation needs identified by providers exceed currently funded amounts and additional funding sources have not been secured.

Questions about hours and continuity were also raised. The proposed day center hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., six days a week; staff said routes can be adjusted so evening pickups begin earlier (around 6 p.m.) and continue runs into the night to bridge gaps between day-center closing and transportation pickup. Staff emphasized the seven-month lease is intended as a bridge to a county acquisition for a long-term facility, and that staying longer would require an amendment and additional board approval.

The committee approved the venue change and related contract actions and asked staff for a detailed budget breakdown and scope-of-work materials for behavioral health providers. Commissioners also requested follow-up on transport funding options and clarity on how Claritel’s services compare to partners such as Grady or Emory.