An expansion of the CrisisCare Center (CCC) and sally port at Family and Children’s Services has provided those suffering from mental health crises as well as law enforcement officers faster, more convenient and more effective help.
CCC provides inpatient support and stabilization for those who are experiencing a severe, debilitating psychiatric crisis. The center operates two units – a respite center, which provides chairs for those in need of up to 24-hour care for mental illness, depression, manic mood swings or suicidal thoughts – and a stabilization unit with beds for those in need of overnight, longer term care (up to five days).
Since the CCC expanded the number of chairs and beds one year ago for those in need of crisis intervention, the center has experienced an increase of 66 percent in clients served.
“The CrisisCare Center has proved to be a tremendous success for both those in need of urgent psychiatric care and for police officers who previously were required to spend more time with drop-offs and intake processing,” said Krista Lewis, chief program officer, FCS mental health, medical and crisis services.
Law enforcement personnel may utilize a special driveway and entrance to the CCC through a sally port, a secure, controlled entrance designed for drop-off and faster processing of patients.
Officers spend an average of only 10 minutes dropping off patients and those in need of assistance at the new sally port, a significant decrease in the amount of time required for officers to process patients in the past.
“This saves law enforcement officers precious time and allows them to get back on the street quicker to provide public safety,” Lewis said.
Law enforcement agencies utilizing the sally port include the Tulsa Police Department in addition to more than a dozen other agencies in the Tulsa area.
“The CrisisCare Center and sally port have made the difficult process of providing immediate help for those in acute mental health crisis and for the officers accompanying them much smoother and less traumatic,” she said.
