FAYETTEVILLE -- Activity at the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit continues growing after half a year.
Kristen McAllister, director of the unit, told the county's Criminal Justice Advisory Board on Friday that January "was our highest referral month in the six months we've been open."
The board monitors the facility, which is operated by Ozark Guidance. The unit's staff makes monthly reports to the board, which are then sent to Gov. Asa Hutchinson's office.
The unit is one of four in the state's pilot project to divert people with mental health problems from the criminal justice system. The others are in Fort Smith, Little Rock and Jonesboro.
Kathryn Griffin, justice reinvestment coordinator with the governor's office, said she's pleased with the progress made by the four units in the time they have been open. The Sebastian County unit has been open about two years and last month had 105 referrals, topping the goal of 100 per month set before the opening.
Pulaski County's unit, open since August 2018, recently reported its busiest month with 79 referrals. The Craighead County unit opened in October, Griffin said, and referrals there are also growing.
McAllister said local law enforcement agencies and community health providers referred 64 people in January. Of those, 50 were recommended for in-person assessment to determine if they should be admitted. Fourteen people weren't recommended for assessment for reasons ranging from unstable physical or mental health to refusal on the part of the person being referred. The program is voluntary.
The staff did 43 face-to-face assessments resulting in people being admitted to the facility. Seven were assessed but not admitted.
The majority of the referrals -- 54 of 64 -- were from Washington County, McAllister said. Nine people were referred to the unit from Benton County and one from Madison County.
McAllister said Fayetteville's Police Department remains the agency using the center most frequently.
Metro on 02/10/2020