CARMEL – People had been passionate on both sides of the aisle when testifying at a Carmel Planning Board public hearing last year on a plan to locate a stabilization center in Carmel. In the end, it was rejected by the planning board.
The United States is facing a behavioral health crisis and Putnam County is not immune.
People USA explained that a crisis stabilization center would allow those in mental hygiene crisis, be it substance abuse or mental health, to voluntarily visit the facility staffed by licensed clinicians, nurses, and peer specialists in a less traumatic experience than a hospital emergency room.
After two sites for the center fell through in 2023, a new site was selected to be operated by at 1071 Stoneleigh Ave. in Carmel, providing whole health assessments in addition to motivational interviewing and de-escalation.
The center’s proposed location was adjacent to the Putnam Rail Trail where a woman was attacked last fall by a homeless man, as well as near an over-55 senior housing complex. The Putnam Plaza Shopping Center was also within walking distance.
At a public hearing, numerous residents of The Retreat, including a woman who identified herself as a psychologist, charged that Carmel had become “destabilized. No one is questioning the need for services. We just need another location.”
The Carmel Planning Board listened to its constituency and on Thursday rejected the proposal by a unanimous vote.
Planning Board Chairman Craig Paeprer first asked his board for a resolution to approve the center. When none was made he asked for a resolution to deny the project which was introduced prior to being approved.
Some three dozen residents in attendance at Carmel Town Hall cheered and applauded.
Throughout the many months of discussion and debate leading to the board’s decision, Steve Miccio, CEO of People USA, explained the mission of the proposed center was to handle cases involving non-violent individuals. He also noted that clinical staff had the “expertise in assessing people with behavioral health issues,” adding that his staff was “highly trained in de-escalation.”
Previously, Commissioner of Mental Health and Social Services Sara Servadio said the benefits of such a program for Putnam County included significantly reduced preventable hospital ER visits, inpatient admissions and re-admissions; reduction in preventable criminal justice involvement; reductions in overall healthcare spending while creating what Servadio called a “welcoming gateway to Putnam County’s broader health and human services system.”
Servadio said increasing rates of mental health issues, the opioid epidemic, crisis, social isolation, economic stress, housing instability, suicide and the trauma created by lives lost due to COVID had placed a tremendous burden on her department.
Following the Planning Board’s rejection, County Executive Kevin Byrne said he “respected and accepted the board’s decision regarding the proposed stabilization center. I appreciate the thoughtful public process that allowed community voices to be heard. Local decision-making matters and community support is important for the success of any project.”
Byrne added that “Putnam County remains deeply aware of the mental health challenges facing our residents and families. We will continue working with providers, community partners, and municipal leaders to increase public safety and expand access to care through evidence-based approaches, including but not limited to mobile crisis response and other prevention efforts.”
Byrne also discussed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funding that had been originally dedicated for the project prior to his taking office in 2022.
“My administration will work with the Putnam Legislature to ensure these public dollars are used responsibly for pre-approved ARPA projects. We will ensure full compliance with federal standards for the benefit of Putnam County and to ensure these dollars are not wasted or lost to the U.S. Treasury,” he said.
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