County elected officials can support community members during a behavioral health emergency by increasing access to services such as crisis triage centers. These centers offer residents a physical location to access stabilization, treatment and connections to community-based services. By increasing access to crisis triage centers, counties can serve the needs of community members with behavioral health conditions, reserve emergency departments and law enforcement officers for other priorities and direct resources to improve community well-being.

County elected officials can assist by:

  • Determining the need, through resource and process mapping to understand if a crisis triage center is appropriate
  • Ensuring collaboration across county agencies and community partners to best serve residents through integrated care, and
  • Securing funding from federal, state, local and private sources to develop a center and sustain operations.

 

Related News

Children play an educational game in the library at the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
County News

Public-private partnership creates ‘one-stop shop’ to improve community wellness

The South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center is a “one-stop shop” the city and the children’s hospital created to improve community wellness and make it easier for people to get their needs met.

US Capitol
Advocacy

U.S. Congress passes reconciliation bill: What it means for counties

On July 3, the U.S. Congress passed sweeping budget reconciliation legislation. 

Elderly woman sitting alone on bench in autumn park
County News

Podcast: Counties fight social isolation

As awareness of social isolation spreads, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Loudoun County, Va. Chair Phyllis Randall discuss the role of government in combatting the problem.

flouride
County News

Fluoride in drinking water: History, safety and benefits for community health

The EPA sets and regulates a maximum level of fluoridation in public water systems, but the federal government cannot require states or localities to fluoridate their water, nor can it remove fluoridation in jurisdictions where it is already policy.

Image of Capitol-panorama_2.jpg
Advocacy

U.S. Senate passes amended reconciliation bill text: What it means for counties

On July 1, the U.S. Senate narrowly passed their version of sweeping budget reconciliation legislation.

THE_County Countdown_working_image-4.png
Advocacy

County Countdown – June 30, 2025

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features the Senate reconciliation debate, transparency on sanctuary designations and more.