A new 60,000 square-foot Behavioral Health Coordinated Care Center will provide critical outpatient and short-term stabilization services for both children and adults experiencing mental health challenges. | Photo Credit: Health Care District of Palm Beach County
By Lindsey Coulter
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Health Care District of Palm Beach County has selected global design, engineering and consultancy firm Arcadis to deliver architectural design, permitting, and construction administration services for the organization’s new 60,000 square-foot Behavioral Health Coordinated Care Center. The purpose-built facility will provide critical outpatient and short-term stabilization services for both children and adults experiencing mental health challenges. It will be designed to safely accept and treat individuals in need of urgent behavioral health support, helping to alleviate pressure on local emergency rooms and the criminal justice system.
Working in partnership with human eXperience (hX), a behavioral health specialty design firm, Arcadis will aim to deliver a cost-effective design that promotes responsible use of public funding. Health Care District of Palm Beach leaders also require that the design be staff-centric in nature to maximize the effectiveness and safety of all healthcare professionals. Additionally, the 24/7 facility will be durable, as it must withstand the challenges of a demanding patient population, as well as flexible and adaptable to meet future needs as behavioral health care evolves. It will also provide rapid 23-hour observation and individualized treatment, integrated primary care and pharmacy services, individual and group therapy services. Additionally, the facility will support connections to community resources, including housing, workforce, financial, and transportation support.
Parry La Gro, Healthcare Group Practice Manager at Arcadis, said that the firm is proud to be part of the project.
“With nationwide demand for modern behavioral health spaces, this project signals the potential for further scalability across the United States,” La Gro said in a statement. “By creating a comprehensive and coordinated behavioral health system, the new center will connect residents to quality, timely care in the least restrictive setting, while reducing strain on local emergency departments and law enforcement.”
The project was first confirmed in January when the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve $10 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to support the development of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s state-of-the-art Crisis Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The vote also marked the first step in the development process of this critical facility.
“This facility will ensure 24/7 access to crisis support and sustainable mental health treatment for both adults and children – helping patients navigate crisis and build resilience for life,” said Darcy J. Davis, Health Care District of Palm Beach County President and CEO, in statement following the vote. “We are extremely grateful to the Board of County Commissioners and our community partners who voiced their support for this critical project. Together, we will support sustainable and effective behavioral health care for generations to come.”
Health Care District of Palm Beach County have also stated that the facility will aim to be “a gold standard in psychiatric and clinical care.” It will provide patients with seamless connections to long-term support services, regardless of ability to pay.