CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The new Linn County Mental Health Access Center is about to open in Cedar Rapids.
It's described as a new concept that provides urgent treatment for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.
Those people now end up in an emergency room or jail where they don't get ongoing treatment, direction or support.
Mental Health Access Center told KCRG-TV that the facility will be open around the clock in order to provide the needed services. “We know sometimes when people are in crisis, they can’t get the services they need in a timely manner, so this is a location where a variety of different services are all under one roof,” Foster said.
KCRG reports the center will have 10 inpatient beds, 5 sobering unit beds, and 6 recliners for detox and observation services.
Linn County's providing $3.5 million in start-up funding for the access center, which will open when building renovations are complete.
The county says center will provide short-term assistance for individuals in crisis and then connect them to on-going recovery services.
A similar facility called GuideLink Center is set to open early next year in Iowa City.
(Image for Linn County)