Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
Hennepin County will expand assistance for people experiencing
acute alcohol intoxication or mental health crises.
The county board voted Tuesday to approve a renovation
project at the county-owned 1800 Chicago Avenue, which already houses chemical
health services space.
Two programs in one location
The withdrawal management program will expand the current 50-bed
detox space to 65 beds and create two levels of care. The programs will offer
both clinically managed and medically monitored withdrawal care. Average stays
for more than one-third of clients is expected to decrease from two days to
one. The total remodeled space will include 5,900 square feet for detox.
The mental health crisis program will offer a 16-bed
residential stabilization unit. This program will provide an alternative to expensive
hospital placements and will redirect low-level offenders who need mental health
care away from jail. The remodeled
space will measure 8,300 square feet on the facility’s second floor.
More opportunities for innovation
“These efforts are a significant step forward and present
opportunities for further innovation,” said Leah Kaiser, area manager for Adult
Behavioral Health. “We are optimistic that these efforts, along with other, related
strategies, will improve outcomes for many people over time. However, more work
remains toward resolving significant barriers to recovery and well-being.”
The total cost of the renovation is $4 million. Additional
funding comes from the 2015-2019 Capital Improvement Program for the 1800
Chicago Withdrawal Management and Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Project.
Construction is expected to be completed by September 2017.
Learn more about the project.
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Look for more news on
the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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