Newsletter: Whatcom Crisis Stabilization Center

April 26, 2021

As Chair of the Steering Committee of the Whatcom County Incarceration Reduction and Prevention Task Force, I have helped lead our County toward a fairer, more effective, and more streamlined criminal justice system.

Specifically, I wanted to drill down a bit on the new Whatcom Crisis Stabilization Center that I am proud to have helped make a reality. The Facility offers an alternative to hospitalization or arrest for adults who are experiencing a mental health crisis or who are in need of withdrawal management services. The Facility’s skilled staff helps people in crisis restore and stabilize their own health. It is also a clear point of access to mental health and substance use services in our county.

The old facility, which was the only facility of its kind in Whatcom County, had only 13 beds. We absolutely needed more capacity. When the beds were already full, people in desperate need of compassionate treatment ended up at the hospital, in jail, or back on the streets. Our newly-built, 32- bed facility has been the number one priority project for the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force. I worked with County staff and State Representative Sharon Shewmake to secure funding for ongoing operations and I’m proud to report that we opened the doors this year, in early 2021.

I am proud to be part of the dedicated team that made this much needed facility a reality. This is the kind of big ideas we can achieve with strong, experienced leadership on our County Council. 

Press Contact:

Barry Buchanan

360-224-4330

info@electbarry.com