‘Investment in those who are so vulnerable’: Douglas County Commissioners vote to build new acute mental health center – KETV Omaha

Douglas County Commissioners greenlit plans for a new community mental health center.They'll use tens of millions of dollars of federal relief money to build it. But commissioners were divided on how much they were willing to spend. "Option B is a good option don't get me wrong, but what option A provides us is flexibility," said Mike Friend.In a 4-3 vote, commissioners went with option B.This will move mental health services out of the county's nursing home at 42nd and Pacific streets and into a new structure.On the other side of the parking lot, they'll tear down this vacant building and construct the community mental health center.It'll have 18 beds, the maximum allowed by Medicaid.Building it will cost around $22 million, which will be paid for with federal money, but some commissioners wanted to push back the vote."We're going to do an expansion that's going to cost tens of millions of dollars. And my opinion we haven't run down all the outstanding questions, and you know colleagues on the board agreed with me on that," said James Cavanaugh.Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson voted for the plan.She said the new center will be built specifically for community mental health and better able to provide care."For us to make an investment in those who are so vulnerable, that we are statutory obligated to provide services to, this I think is one of the greatest moves we can make in taking care of those people that we're mandated to take care of," said Borgeson.The center will have patients staying a maximum of 24 hours to one week. It will also have outpatient care and therapy.Commissioners agreed the growing need for long-term beds falls on the state of Nebraska."We were not going to do long-term care mental health. And we're not. We need to work with partners in this community and our state partners for them to do it because that's their responsibility," said Borgeson.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

Douglas County Commissioners greenlit plans for a new community mental health center.

They'll use tens of millions of dollars of federal relief money to build it.

But commissioners were divided on how much they were willing to spend.

"Option B is a good option don't get me wrong, but what option A provides us is flexibility," said Mike Friend.

In a 4-3 vote, commissioners went with option B.

This will move mental health services out of the county's nursing home at 42nd and Pacific streets and into a new structure.

On the other side of the parking lot, they'll tear down this vacant building and construct the community mental health center.

It'll have 18 beds, the maximum allowed by Medicaid.

Building it will cost around $22 million, which will be paid for with federal money, but some commissioners wanted to push back the vote.

"We're going to do an expansion that's going to cost tens of millions of dollars. And my opinion we haven't run down all the outstanding questions, and you know colleagues on the board agreed with me on that," said James Cavanaugh.

Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson voted for the plan.

She said the new center will be built specifically for community mental health and better able to provide care.

"For us to make an investment in those who are so vulnerable, that we are statutory obligated to provide services to, this I think is one of the greatest moves we can make in taking care of those people that we're mandated to take care of," said Borgeson.

The center will have patients staying a maximum of 24 hours to one week.

It will also have outpatient care and therapy.

Commissioners agreed the growing need for long-term beds falls on the state of Nebraska.

"We were not going to do long-term care mental health. And we're not. We need to work with partners in this community and our state partners for them to do it because that's their responsibility," said Borgeson.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

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'Investment in those who are so vulnerable': Douglas County Commissioners vote to build new acute mental health center - KETV Omaha