NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Open Houses have begun for the Carrefour Crisis Center, the new eight-bed crisis care facility for adults with mental health issues that will begin its use later this month for day services until state approval comes through for overnight stays through Horizons Mental Health Center.
"Our hope is that, when someone is in crisis, instead of having to go to the ER, or we have to call police, this can be people's first stop on that journey of care," said CEO Vicki Mader. "Hopefully, we can keep them there for a few days and help them and then get them back in their homes and in their communities."
Different stakeholder groups are taking building tours today and tomorrow.
"We have one today from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for community partners," Mader said. "That would be like our hospital and jail staff, law enforcement and anybody else that you know, works with us. We also have general public open house tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon."
Day programming will start on Monday, with the goal to get to 24 hour occupancy once state approval and staffing are finished.
"We don't know how many beds are enough," Mader said. "We had to start somewhere. We thought this was a really great number to start with. Hopefully, it will be, but if not, then we will have to look at ways that we can continue to grow."
Approval from the state for overnight occupancy is likely later this year.