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Local provider says mobile crisis calls surged; county hears staffing and program updates
Summary
A behavioral-health provider told the Riley County Commission that mobile crisis response usage has climbed—reporting 343 year-to-date contacts in Riley County—and described staffing additions, STARS youth-camp plans, and funding challenges for uncompensated mobile response services.
A representative for the region’s behavioral-health provider briefed Riley County commissioners on service expansions and rising demand for mobile crisis response during the June 22 meeting.
The presenter described recent hires—operations and clinical leaders and a new IT director—as part of efforts to modernize records and expand capacity. They said the STARS summer camp (for children ages 5–17 with mental-health diagnoses) will run Aug. 4–7 at Rock Spring Ranch and serve about 90 children.
On crisis response, the presenter said year-to-date utilization shows a large volume in Riley County and across a 10-county service area. "Year-to-date utilization of mobile crisis response has gradually increased to the point of 343 in Riley County," the presenter said, adding that co-responder figures (law-enforcement paired responses) are far smaller and that the program operates 24/7. The presenter estimated the mobile crisis program costs in the region at roughly $700,000 and said reimbursements do not cover much of that expense.
Commissioners asked whether Riley County is the largest source of calls; the presenter estimated Riley County accounts for roughly 40% of calls across the 10-county region. The provider said it would welcome partnerships to develop a youth crisis unit but noted implementation costs and revenue shortfalls make expansion challenging without additional support.
The commission did not take formal action on programs but heard the provider emphasize the continuing resource needs of mobile crisis work and school-based services in USD 383.
