Lubbock, Texas (KCBD) – The City of Lubbock and Lubbock County have approved an agreement to establish a commission to oversee the construction and initial operations of the HOPE Center, a behavioral and mental health crisis transformation center.
“This is the first time in my history that I’ve seen all six partners in one place,” said Councilwoman Latrell Joy.
Joy was referring to the West Texas Mental Health Collaborative, which will make up the steering committee. An inter-regional agreement approved last week by the Lubbock City Council and the Lubbock County Commissioners’ Court will establish the committee. Each contributed $3.5 million to ARPA funds for the construction of the center.
Each member of the Collaborative, including the City of Lubbock, Lubbock County, UMC Health System, Covenant Health, Texas Tech University/Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and StarCare Specialty Health System, will appoint a “high-level” representative to the Steering Committee . .
“[The HOPE Center] It will be built on the same site as StarCare,” said Joy. “It’s moving forward with architects so that construction can begin.”
StarCare CEO Beth Lawson told the commissioner that the committee will meet monthly. According to the agreement, the term will end the year following the center’s grand opening. During that time, he will be responsible for policy recommendations, improved construction coordination and support, and initial operations. They are also expected to provide recommendations for the center’s future operations and priorities.
“We are in an enviable position to expand our services to help people avoid going to emergency rooms, prisons and physical hospitals,” said Lawson. “We are very excited about the added ability to support people.”
Lawson said the StarCare facility on East 19th Street was already “bursting at the seams” and plans to expand by another 15 beds with its own ARPA funding. We believe that StarCare will be able to provide assistance to more people who should not be seeking assistance in these locations.
“One of the main goals of the Repurposing Center is to repurpose law enforcement from prisons and emergency rooms and not to overwhelm law enforcement to get people to access medical services.” said Lawson. “My motto is probably not the first day, but hopefully the last day of the first year is drive-in, drop-off, drive-away. We want to be able to do it without even having to get out of the car.”
Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish and Lubbock City Councilman Latrell Joy will join the steering committee.
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