South Bend to fund mental health crisis center: City funding of $2.66 million comes after St. Joseph County officials pull out of agreement

In a release, the city announced it will supply $2.66 million in American Rescue Plan funding to pay for the crisis center in a partnership with Oaklawn. The behavioral crisis center is being built in the existing Epworth Hospital in downtown South Bend and will provide 14 beds for residents in need of emergency mental health care.

The money will pay for building expenses as well as for the first year of the center's operation. Oaklawn will run the center, which is expected to completed in the late spring, and has been in the works since late 2021 as a partnership between local governments, Oaklawn, Memorial Hospital and local police agencies.

Officials have had discussions about the center for two years. But it gained traction in August after police fatal shot Donte Kittrel, 51. Officials later learned that he was suffered from mental health.

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“After years of collaboration, I am glad our community is ready to establish a crisis center and fill in gaps in our mental health services,” said Mueller in a written statement. “This partnership between the city and Oaklawn provides the funding necessary for the buildout of the center and its initial operation costs."