Pioneer Human Services outlines STAR Center services, timeline and bed mix to Anacortes council

Pioneer Human Services presented the new STAR Center this week to the Anacortes City Council, describing a combined behavioral‑health facility that will house detox, residential treatment and a crisis‑stabilization unit.

Mary Schroeder, identified as Pioneer’s regional director, said the organization plans to move existing operations into the STAR Center and open one unit at a time. “We’re going to move our existing operations over to the STAR program and then we’re going to open up one unit at a time,” Schroeder said, and added the program could start “in the next month or so or maybe six weeks,” dependent on final credentialing steps.

Presenters described a 48‑bed building split into three 16‑bed program units: detox, residential treatment and crisis stabilization. The presenters said 32 of those beds represent new capacity in the community because the current detox program will relocate rather than occupy all of the new beds. Clinical supervisor Seth Peebles described operations designed for rapid assessment and seamless transfer between units: “We can give them an assessment ... and they’ll be able to go from one unit to the next without any delays.”

Medical director Megan Wagner outlined the clinical services and medications to be available on site, including medication‑assisted treatment options such as buprenorphine and long‑acting injectables (Vivitrol) and protocols for managing opioid and stimulant withdrawal. Wagner said the facility will have a provider on call 24/7 and an in‑house provider available seven days a week, with nursing intake assessments and provider evaluations within 24 hours of admission.

Stephanie Miller, health resource and coordination manager at the existing detox program, said the STAR Center team will largely transfer with the move and that the program will operate on a 24/7 schedule. She offered tours for council and staff once the facility is operational.

Council members asked detailed questions about capacity, regional referrals and how the center will interact with law enforcement and hospitals. Council member Clea McGrath said local first responders had struggled to find suitable beds for Anacortes residents and supported treatment availability in the region. In response, presenters said the center will accept referrals from outside the immediate area when beds are available and will coordinate with local partners to find ongoing housing and treatment after discharge.

Presenters described typical lengths of stay as three to five days for detox (longer if clinically necessary), crisis‑stabilization stays based on medical need, and a 28‑day residential program. They said their referral and aftercare network includes Oxford House and other recovery housing providers and that staff will use Medicaid and Administrative Services Organization (ASO) contracts as primary funding sources.

On emergency‑department interactions, Wagner said the STAR Center aims to be an alternative to the ER for many behavioral‑health and withdrawal cases: “Our goal is that they come to us first ... unless ambulance or clinicians determine they need more medical stabilization.” She added the facility has protocols to transfer patients to higher levels of care if necessary and that a nearby involuntary‑care provider could be called for evaluations when required.

Council members thanked the presenters and expressed interest in a site tour. Schroeder and her team said they would share contact information and set up visits once credentialing and licensing are complete.

Next steps: presenters said final credentialing and DEA approvals remain and that they expect patient admissions to begin once licensing and credentialing milestones are met.