GIRARD, Kan. — Crawford County Mental Health Center hosted Crawford County Commissioners Tom Moody, Bruce Blair and Carl Wood, along with Crawford County Counselor Jim Emerson, Friday afternoon for a progress update and guided tour of the future Crisis Intervention Center in Girard.
The visit allowed the commissioners to see the facility’s ongoing transformation, learn how the center is expected to operate and discuss what this new level of psychiatric emergency care could mean for Crawford County and the surrounding region.
“We appreciated the opportunity to show our county commissioners the progress being made and help them better understand how the Crisis Intervention Center will fit into the broader system of mental health and psychiatric care,” said Amy Glines, Interim Executive Director of Crawford County Mental Health Center. “Their continued interest in and support of mental health services in Crawford County is meaningful. This facility will give people experiencing psychiatric emergencies another opportunity to receive timely, appropriate care closer to their families, providers and communities.”
Anticipated to begin operating in late 2026, the 16-bed Crisis Intervention Center will provide psychiatric emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for adults ages 18 and older. The facility will provide stabilization, treatment and support within a safe, therapeutic environment.
For some individuals, the center may offer an appropriate alternative to receiving care at a state psychiatric hospital. It will also add a higher level of care than what is currently available regionally while helping individuals remain closer to their established support systems.
According to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services’ June 2026 Monthly Census Report, the average wait for admission to Osawatomie State Hospital was 182.5 hours, or more than seven and a half days. During these extended waits, hospitals, law enforcement agencies and other community systems may be responsible for supporting individuals until an appropriate placement becomes available.
Commissioner Tom Moody said the center could benefit both Crawford County and the surrounding region while easing some of the pressure currently placed on local systems.
“One of the strengths of this facility is that, although it is located in Crawford County, it will serve people from across the region,” Moody said. “It can help keep people out of county jails and ease pressure on hospitals. It is truly a win-win for everyone.”
Commissioner Bruce Blair emphasized the importance of helping people receive care sooner and closer to home.
“Having a facility like this locally gives our residents an opportunity to get help sooner and at a higher level,” Blair said. “It also gives family members the opportunity to remain closer when needed. Being close to home is a good thing when someone needs this type of care.”
Commissioner Carl Wood said the center will provide another option for individuals who might otherwise wait in an emergency room, jail or another temporary setting.
“Instead of someone waiting in a jail, emergency room or another temporary setting, they will be in an environment where they can begin receiving help immediately,” Wood said. “I think that is a major benefit, and the surrounding counties will be able to use it as well.”
Once an individual is stabilized, CIC staff will work with the person’s community providers and support systems to help them transition safely to the appropriate level of care in their community. Access to the CIC will involve a referral-based screening process coordinated with regional partners.
The opening of the Crisis Intervention Center will not replace or change any crisis services currently available through Crawford County Mental Health Center. The 24/7 Crisis Save Line and Mobile Crisis Response Team will continue operating, and anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can continue to call or text 988 for support.
The CIC will complement these existing services by adding another option within the regional continuum of care when an individual needs a higher level of short-term psychiatric emergency treatment.
“As a county commissioner, and I know my fellow commissioners feel the same, we are very grateful to Crawford County Mental Health Center for seeing the need for this facility and making the moves necessary to get it done,” Moody said.
Access to the CIC will involve a referral-based screening process coordinated with regional partners.
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About Crawford County Mental Health Center
Crawford County Mental Health Center has served Crawford County and the surrounding area since 1961. The organization provides a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services for adults, children, families, and veterans, including 24/7 crisis support. To learn more, call 620-231-5130 or visit www.crawfordmentalhealth.org
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