Mental Health Association to Operate Facility,
Offer Walk-In Services at Montevue Lane Location
FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today announced plans to renovate a County-owned facility to house a new crisis stabilization center. When it opens in the Summer of 2023, the center will provide immediate care to people experiencing a behavioral health emergency, such as substance use disorder or mental health concern, and connect patients to ongoing community-based care. The Mental Health Association of Frederick County will operate the center under the direction of the Frederick County Health Department. The Mental Health Association plans to move its existing walk-in clinic to the center and offer services around the clock.
“We know a crisis stabilization center will save lives,” Executive Gardner said. “By providing this much-needed service, residents will be able to receive the full continuum of care without leaving Frederick County.”
Design work has begun on the center, which will be located at 340 Montevue Lane in Frederick. The building currently houses the Board of Elections. Elections operations will relocate to Riverside Corporate Park in early 2023.
Funding to start the center comes from two federal grants totaling over $1.5 million, a $1 million grant from the State of Maryland, and $850,000 from Frederick County’s American Rescue Plan allocation. Ongoing costs will be funded in part from payments opioid manufacturers will make as part of legal settlements. Frederick County’s share of the settlements is $11.2 million paid out over 18 years.
The Frederick County Crisis Stabilization Center will provide an alternative to hospital services and reduce the burden on first responders and the local emergency department. Behavioral health issues account for approximately 20% of emergency department visits to Frederick Health Hospital. People will be referred to the center by the Mental Health Association’s crisis hotlines (211 and 988), as well as by first responders, law enforcement, mobile crisis response teams, community providers, and families of those who are in crisis.
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