King County voters are voting on the creation of a new levy that would allow the county to fund a new network of crisis care centers, with Tuesday being the last day to turn in ballots.
In 2018, 355 beds providing community-based residential care for people with mental health residential needs existed in King County. Today, only 244 of these beds are available, according to the council. And in 2021, according to the county, more than 900 people experiencing behavioral health emergencies waited for two days in emergency rooms because they did not have beds for treatment available.
“One result of this loss of services and trained workforce is our community turning to first responders, including 911 and police officers, when a mental health or substance use issue escalates into a crisis. This is not a solution,” McDaniels said. “So long as we misuse emergency rooms, jails, and law enforcement as mental health providers, we fail people in the crisis, and we fail people in our communities.
“It’s a system that is not set up to respond with all of the people and support that we need to meet the crisis. So when we’re thinking about the cost of this, this $100 million a year, we’re thinking about the cost, we’re spending $100 million a year right now, and things are getting worse,” Councilmember Sarah Perry said in support of the ballot measure. “So this is a much more efficient and effective use of our public dollars. So we don’t just keep spinning this wheel and going back home.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Special needs student wins Prom King at Tipton County HSWhen they crowned senior, Shaun Jones of Tipton as Prom King, the crowd erupted in applause and approval. Shaun was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. His mother said the community has embraced him since the beginning.
Leer más »
Gayle King and Charles Barkley to Host 'King Charles' Primetime ShowThe 'CBS Mornings' anchor and the NBA analyst will host a weekly show on CNN.
Leer más »
Rally scheduled in support of DA Price at courthouseAlameda County residents are organizing in support of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price on Sunday.
Leer más »
Endeavor Sells IMG Academy to Private Equity Firm for $1.25BThe sale of IMG's education business comes a decade after WME first acquired IMG.
Leer más »
'This really hit hard': Pennsylvania hospital shutdown strains health care delivery, first responders sayFirst responders tell CBS News the closure last November of the nearly century-old Delaware County Memorial Hospital in suburban Philadelphia has stretched the area's health care system to its limits.
Leer más »
N.J. county pays employee over $118K to settle 3 claims of racial discrimination in 8 yearsThe Salem County road department employee settled his most recent case last month.
Leer más »