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Mental health center outlines May Crisis Intervention Center opening and county outreach campaign
Summary
High Plains Mental Health told the commission the Crisis Intervention Center will open May 4 with an April 16 open house and April 30 ribbon-cutting; the agency also described a new 'Be There' outreach campaign across 20 counties and noted state operating funds are supporting the center.
Greg Poe of High Plains Mental Health Center updated the Ellis County Commission on a planned Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) and a new outreach campaign. "We just wanted to provide a quick update," Poe said, noting the CIC’s opening is scheduled for May 4 and the center will host an open house on April 16 and a ribbon-cutting with the chamber on April 30.
Poe and county presenters described the CIC as a short-stay facility intended to provide voluntary, immediate support for people in crisis while state-hospital placement depends on bed availability. Poe said the center is designed for typical three-day stays (extendable by judges or workers) and stressed it is not intended to replace the state hospital but to reduce wait-list pressures and provide earlier, therapeutic care. The presenters explained the CIC has multiple entrances: a public entrance off 7th Street and a separate back entrance and elevator to admit voluntary patients without exposing them to the general clinic area.
High Plains also described a 'Be There' campaign intended to reduce stigma by stationing branded staff at coffee shops and public places across the center’s 20-county service area during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. "We are launching this campaign to go out into coffee shops, go out into public places ... and be present and available to talk," Poe said, clarifying that staff will not provide clinical services in those settings but will offer conversation and information and signpost people to services.
Separately, staff reported that the state has provided $3,000,000 for CIC operations this fiscal year to help cover operating expenses; presenters said they hope to secure additional operating funding in the next state fiscal term. Commissioners asked about staffing levels and licensing; presenters said hiring is ongoing and additional staff hires are expected within weeks.
The commission received the update; no formal county action on the funding request was recorded at this meeting.
