Montgomery County Secures Lease for New Behavioral Health Center

Plans for a new emergency behavioral health crisis center in Montgomery County reached a significant milestone with the authorization of a lease agreement for a property located in King of Prussia. The county has committed to a three-year lease on the 49,112-square-foot facility situated at 1201 W. 8th Ave. According to Vera Zanders, deputy administrator of adult mental health for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the lease took effect on September 5, 2024.

Montgomery County commissioners unanimously approved the lease during a vote on September 4, with Chairman Neil Makhija emphasizing the initiative’s importance. “This is a critically important initiative, and we’re proud to do it in Montgomery County,” he stated. The lease terms indicate a potential extension until September 4, 2040, with a rental rate starting at $18 per square foot for the first year, escalating by 2.5 percent annually for a duration of up to 15 years.

The facility will be operated by Connections Health Solutions, which was awarded an $18.1 million contract in July 2024 to serve as the leaseholder and operator. As part of the project, the firm will also manage subcontracting for necessary construction work. Zanders mentioned that the overall cost of establishing the center is projected to exceed $21 million, with approximately $15 million allocated for renovations to meet regulatory standards and best practices, and the remaining $6 million designated for staffing and operational expenses.

Funding for the project will primarily come from reinvestment funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ HealthChoices Behavioral Health Program. Zanders confirmed that these funds are readily available and project-specific, although the county continues to explore additional sources of funding to cover ongoing operational costs. Potential funding avenues include state Medicaid, commercial insurance, and various grants.

The emergency behavioral health center aims to operate under a “no turn away policy” and will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week for individuals facing any type of behavioral health crisis. Zanders highlighted the center’s capacity to serve children, adults, and families, stating, “This isn’t just about a service. It’s not just about a best practice. It’s about having a lifeline of hope when someone is feeling low.”

Mental health issues have emerged as a pressing concern within the county, with recent statistics indicating that approximately one in five individuals experience mental illness. According to data from the National Alliance for Mental Illness, this translates to around 57.8 million people across the United States. During a press conference in July 2024, Makhija reported that the county’s mobile crisis hotline received approximately 5,500 calls in 2023, underscoring the necessity for dedicated mental health services.

Makhija expressed the need for a facility focused on mental health, pointing out that current medical facilities primarily address physical health issues. He noted the center’s organizational structure is designed to coordinate with first responders and local hospitals, stating, “We don’t have the equivalent for mental health, and that’s what this is going to provide. Any resident of Montgomery County will be able to receive treatment for mental health issues or substance abuse disorders at this facility.”

Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder echoed these sentiments during the same press conference, highlighting the center’s potential role in supporting the county’s most vulnerable residents. “This emergency center will become a part of an effective and coordinated system of mental health treatment and recovery, as well as peer support,” Winder stated. She emphasized the importance of the facility as a point of intervention for individuals with mental health challenges who may otherwise find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system.

Zanders assured that the center will be staffed with a diverse team, including benefits counselors, case managers, clinicians, crisis workers, and peer support personnel, all trained to provide therapeutic interactions immediately upon arrival. The facility will also feature designated areas for children and adult patients.

County officials are keen on alleviating the burden on existing medical facilities and law enforcement agencies, aiming to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits by 53 percent. Zanders pointed out that multiple hospitals in the southeastern region have recently closed psychiatric beds, amplifying the urgency for this center.

While the anticipated opening date for the center was initially projected for fall 2025, the exact timeline for when it will begin receiving patients remains uncertain. Zanders emphasized the facility’s potential to provide “immediate hope” for individuals in crisis, asserting, “Recovery is possible. People do recover from behavioral health challenges.”