There is a glaring need for emergency mental health and substance abuse programs in Kansas City. Right now, people who are in a crisis are usually in and out of the ER and jail. Most of those folks are homeless.
A new crisis center opening at the end of October is expected to make a difference.
Take a look at the breakdown of funding and operations.
Kathy Dean sees the need every week, while out delivering food to the chronically homeless with her organization, Uplift.
"Our numbers have increased from this time last year," Dean said. "We were serving almost 200 and now we're serving 300 to 320 a night."
That's why Kathy added a fourth delivery truck to cover more routes.
She's seen many of the same faces over the 13 years behind the wheel of her truck. The majority of them are battling mental illness and addiction, in desperate need of a long-term treatment program.
"We don't even have that anymore," Dean said.
Many agencies around the metro offer outpatient services for drug treatment, which don't do Dean's friends any good. The programs that offer inpatient treatment are either only for a few days, cost money, are full, or refer the patient back to a hospital's emergency department.
Dean sees the effects of homelessness in the face of her friend, Paul. She describes him as one of the smartest men she knows. He's a college graduate, and could have gone far in the world. His home is under a bridge.
Just a few weeks ago, Dean had to buy Paul a cane to walk, although he's in his early 40s.
"He's killing his self with drugs and alcohol. He has a mental issue. He can't be in groups, he can't be in crowds," Dean said.
It's discouraging for her because she knows she'll see Paul die.
"Paul's not going to make it the winter," Dean said. "His body's shutting down."
It's people like Paul, who's had dozens of interactions with the police, that forced community leaders to fund a new triage center at 12th & Prospect. It's a former Department of Mental Health building, now called the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center.
First District Councilman Scott Wagner said they took the homeless population into mind when moving forward with the KCATC.
"One of the issues that we found was that sort of mental health emergency facility is no longer available," Wagner said.
Local ER's handle around 17,000 visits a year from people with mental illnesses or substance abuse issues. The people who the police arrest the most for public intoxication or panhandling had dozens of arrests a year, on average.
The KCATC is expected to lighten that load. It'll see 6,000 people a year.
ReDiscover, a mental healthy agency, was chosen by the city of Kansas City to run it.
"We work with area hospitals to focus on their top 20 utilizers, and 80 percent are chronically homeless," Vice President of ReDiscover Lauren Moyer said.
The KCATC has room for 16 people. They're assessed, fed, given a change of clothes, and can stay there for up to 23 hours.
If they have a major medical issue, they will be taken to the hospital.
The center won't take any walk-ups; only the police or emergency personnel can bring them in.
Case managers will follow up after discharge to try to connect them with services.
Staying for 23 hours is not enough, maybe just long enough to get someone sober. Community leaders acknowledge that, but they say it's filling a gap.
"A facility like this one is designed to help look at those issues. Ask, what is your next step, what services do you need?" Wagner said.
Moyer says they'll see the same faces over and over, but it's better them be the revolving door rather than the ER or jail.
"If we can make a difference in one person's life, or take baby steps to change one thing, it's such an impact," Moyer said.
Until Dean sees that impact, she'll continue to hit the streets delivering comfort and love, trying to make their day better. Why?
"Because it might be their last."
ReDiscover and the city are looking into a second ATC in eastern Jackson County, as well as a respite care program.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at Sarah.Plake@KSHB.com
