Crisis Receiving Center to begin design phase

Board issues request for qualifications for architects, engineers

The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County is seeking replies to its request for qualifications to move forward with a critical, first-of-itskind crisis receiving center in the county.

To view the request for proposal, go to https://mharslc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RFQArchServices-20220311-Final.pdf.

Responses are due April 8.

Many partners including the Lorain County commissioners, The Nord Center, The LCADA Way, Road to Hope, Lorain County Community Foundation and various donors have assisted the MHARS Board in advancing progress to bring this facility to the county, according to a news release.

“It will be one essential part of our effort to strengthen the crisis continuum in Lorain County,” the release said. “A second piece, also in development, is mobile response stabilization services for youth and young adults to address crises when and where they occur.”

“We remain committed to bringing this crisis facility to Lorain County to fill in the gaps in services for those struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder crisis,” said Michael Doud, MHARS Board executive director. “This facility will help alleviate the burden on emergency room staff already stretched thin by the pandemic and will free up law enforcement to focus on other areas rather than placing individuals in need of specialized mental health or substance use disorder in their care.”

In May 2021, the MHARS Board of Directors voted to allocate up to $4 million toward the construction of a Crisis Stabilization Center.

Lorain County commissioners voted in August 2021 to allocate an additional amount up to $4 million to fund the project.

The county dollars are funded by proceeds from its opioid settlement and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

In addition, the MHARS Board is in the process of securing $750,000 from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), the release said.

Private donations and foundations such as the Nord Family Foundation (NFF), are being finalized and are expected to total approximately $2 million.

In addition, the Nord Family Foundation has approved $23,000 toward the cost of a project manager, according to the release.

While funding for this facility was secured in 2021, planning for this project has been in the planning for a few years with the aid of various community partners.

The facility would be the first of its kind in Lorain County — a “no wrong door” for those experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis to access services, the release said.

It would offer 32 beds, 16 for those struggling with mental health issues and 16 for those struggling with addiction.

It would be staffed by mental health and addiction specialists who are best able to assist when a person experiences a crisis.