New Resource for Mental Health Emergencies Coming to Downtown Kalamazoo
“We’re going to work directly with the emergency services, the public safety departments and ambulance companies in order to develop the appropriate protocol for when to bring somebody to that urgent care and access center versus the emergency department or even jail.”
–Dianne Shaffer, ISK Senior Executive for Policy, Planning and Innovation
Construction drawing shows plans for the new facility at 440 W. Kalamazoo Ave. It will be the first and only behavioral health urgent care and access center in Kalamazoo County. (MLive)
LOCAL COVERAGE
05/13/2022: Brad Devereaux, MLive
KALAMAZOO, MI — A new behavioral health urgent care and access center is coming to downtown Kalamazoo.
The facility will allow police officers and ambulances to drop people off to see mental health clinicians, according to Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) CEO Jeff Patton.
Demolition to clear the site for construction is planned in the coming months with an estimated opening date in 2023, Patton told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette on Thursday. ISK recently submitted plans for the facility to the city of Kalamazoo’s site plan review process, and they will be reviewed on June 1.
Plans for the new building at 440 W. Kalamazoo Ave. include six individual treatment rooms, two crisis treatment rooms, a family treatment room, offices, waiting rooms, bathrooms, a conference room, reception area, lobby, and a security office. The plans show a police/ambulance entrance, with a crisis vestibule and crisis treatment rooms.
The total cost is about $5 million, funded with ISK funds and private funds the organization received, Patton said.
Police officers and EMS personnel in ambulances will be able to transport people to the facility when it is determined that behavioral health treatment would be appropriate.
“It’s accessible for the Northside community as well as the downtown community where we have a high concentration of individuals that are receiving services,” Patton told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. “It is a very, very good location for us and transportation wise it’s easy to get to.”
“People deserve a modern facility where they can not be under pressure in terms of space and in terms of time,” he said about the project that will allow people to see mental health clinicians on site. FULL ARTICLE
Construction document showing planned interior spaces for the center. (MLive)
Included in the center:
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Six individual treatment rooms
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Two crisis treatment rooms
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A family treatment room
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Offices
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Waiting rooms
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A conference room
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Reception area
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Lobby
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Security office
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A police/ambulance entrance, with crisis treatment rooms
05/16/2022: David Horak, WOOD TV8
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo is getting a different kind of urgent care facility. It will have around-the-clock service for people dealing with mental health issues.
Integrated Services Kalamazoo CEO Jeff Patton said next year one of their properties on Kalamazoo Avenue near Westnedge Avenue will become the county’s first and only in providing services this way.
“This is not an overnight care licensed facility but we can observe people,” Patton said. “We have a team of professionals that will actually intervene and decide on the appropriate kinds of care they can receive.” FULL ARTICLE
