The Chester County commissioners and the Department of Human Services recently unveiled the Human Needs Network of Chester County, an initiative that focuses on helping residents who are experiencing mental health concerns or a crisis, who are impacted by behavioral health issues, or who are experiencing a housing crisis. At the core of the Human Needs Network is a locally based contact center and mobile crisis resolution teams.
The three pillars of the Human Needs Network of Chester County are someone to talk, someone to respond, and somewhere to go.
Serving as part of the first pillar is a contact center that runs the 2-1-1 information and referral service for those in need of housing, utility, and other human service support. Also, the 988 toll-free suicide and crisis lifeline is a 24/7 service staffed by trained mental health counselors that can dispatch local mobile crisis resolution team members if needed. Both contact center services are based in the county's Government Services Center in West Chester.
The second pillar, someone to respond, refers to mobile crisis resolution teams that provide around-the-clock support, meeting those experiencing a mental health crisis and giving personal peer-led care. The mobile crisis resolution teams are based in the new Equity Health Center in Coatesville.
The third pillar includes walk-in center services, crisis residential services, and inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Additional programs may be added in the future.
The Human Needs Network of Chester County was developed with input from leaders of more than 50 local organizations who represent all sectors of the community, from first responders, schools, hospitals, and libraries to nonprofits and veteran organizations, the United Way of Chester County, and county government departments. The cost of the Human Needs Network of Chester County is covered by Chester County's American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Chester County has contracted with Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and with Woods' Legacy Treatment Services to oversee the mobile crisis resolution teams.
Leave a Review