Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced that a Request for Qualifications for a Crisis Stabilization Center has been released and solicitations are open until April 7
Building a Crisis Stabilization Center was one of the main recommendations of the Ulster County Behavioral Health Task Force and a top priority for Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan in the 2022 Executive Budget
KINGSTON, N.Y. - Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced that solicitations for a Crisis Stabilization Center are being accepted until April 7th. Building a Crisis Stabilization Center was one of the main recommendations of the Ulster County Behavioral Health Task Force, which released a report in September 2021, and was announced by County Executive Ryan as a top priority in the 2022 Executive Budget address. The State recently made funding available for the creation of new Crisis Stabilization Centers, and Ulster County has dedicated American Rescue Plan funding for the design and construction of the Center. Ulster County is now seeking proposals from agencies who are interested in partnering with the County on this effort.
“The loss of the inpatient psychiatric and substance use disorder rehab beds at HealthAlliance Hospital of Westchester Medical Center has put a significant strain on our system of care. Our current behavioral health services have become increasingly overburdened due to expanding needs and static resources,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said. “The last two years have shown us that it takes a community to support one another when times are hard. Too often, our system of care is challenging to navigate and access. A Crisis Stabilization Center that is open 24-hours, 7 days a week will allow individuals and families to access care at the time the need is imminent and other services are unavailable.”
“As a Research Scientist at the Institute for Family Health with a focus area on the income and racial disparities in health, and Chair of the Ulster County Legislature’s Health, Human Services and Housing Committee, I know that the opioid use disorder and mental health crisis has only worsened during COVID,” Vice Chair of the Ulster County Legislature Eve Walter said. “There is currently nowhere in Ulster County where individuals, families and the criminal justice system can turn to to stabilize and provide substance and mental health care management to this most vulnerable population. That’s why I put forward a resolution in October calling for the County to build a Crisis Stabilization Center with ARP funding.”
“For too long, our behavioral health systems in Ulster County have not kept up with the need, and as Chair of the Ulster County Legislature’s American Rescue Plan Act Special Committee, I know that we can do more,” Ulster County Legislator Peter Criswell said. “The presence of a Crisis Support Center in Ulster County would buttress the need for urgent care services for stabilization, support diversion from unnecessary hospitalization, and promote access to essential community-based services.”
“The lack of adequate behavioral health services in our community means that many of our residents have not been able to get the help they need and deserve,” Ulster County Legislator Thomas Corcoran said. “As Deputy Chair of the Ulster County Legislature’s American Rescue Plan Act Special Committee, I support the use of ARP funds for the Crisis Stabilization Center.”
Ulster County received significant federal aid to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts across our community. This once-in-a-generation funding, as well as increased funding at the New York State and Federal level, positions the County to make investments that will help to build a mental health and addiction recovery system that works for everyone.
In addition to being equipped to manage the most acute needs, the vision is to create a one-of-a-kind place where residents of all ages and their families can go the moment they need help, regardless of the type of help needed. Ulster County aims to provide a safe place to connect with caring people who will welcome and guide residents through the process of getting support. This might be a parent seeking help managing their child's behaviors and stress related to financial insecurity. Other times, it may be a loved one helping a friend navigate the path to recovery from addiction. Everyone will be welcomed and assisted with the issues that matter to them. This level of support will more adequately meet the needs of the community, ease the burden on our existing system of care, and reduce the unnecessary use of law enforcement to manage behavioral health concerns.
On February 23rd, 2022, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced in his third State of the County address that his administration is beginning the re-investments in mental health services that were proposed in the 2022 Executive Budget, re-establishing a fully-functioning Mental Health Department, and becoming one of the first counties in the state to build a Crisis Stabilization Center.
In May of 2021, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan established a 26-member behavioral health task force, which delivered a report in September 2021 identifying immediate actions as well as longer term 5-year goals to create a comprehensive behavioral health care system. In his 2022 Executive Budget address in September 2021, County Executive Ryan proposed $3.3 million in federal relief funds for design and construction of the County’s first-ever Ulster County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Center, to provide residents a single location for the full continuum of care for people dealing with mental health and addiction related illness - the first major component of which would be a Crisis Stabilization Center that would begin to be developed in 2022.
For detailed information on the Crisis Stabilization Center Request for Qualifications solicitation, visit https://bit.ly/37FUQ8O. The deadline is April 7, 2022. All vendors who are interested and qualified to implement an Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center as outlined by Part 600 of Title 14 of the NYCRR should apply.
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