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Stephanie Wiechmann
The Delaware County Commissioners had one goal for the federal Covid era American Rescue Plan funds - to build a local in-patient center for mental health and substance use treatment. As commissioner Shannon Henry puts it:

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Shannon Henry
To be quite frank about it, I know there’s organizations that hand out Narcan.  There’s organizations that hand out syringes.  That’s not cutting it.  We gotta do more.  We gotta do more for our people.  That’s why we’re here today.

00;00;26;06 - 00;00;47;25
Stephanie Wiechmann
The $7.6 million facility is also receiving the first $2.5 million state grant from a program specifically for regional mental health facilities being built on the former running track at what used to be Wilson Middle School and is now the Delaware County Justice Center. It will be able to house dozens of people, and commissioners say there are already plans for expansion for additional beds or possibly a juvenile wing.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
Commissioner Sherry Riggin says while the plans are there, they hope not to use them. You know.

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Sherry Riggin
I hope in 50 years that we don't need it anymore. But who knows?

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Stephanie Wiechmann
The county run facility is different from what will be a Muncie run crisis center for emergency mental health issues. That building on Eighth Street is also being built using American Rescue Plan funds. The city of Muncie did not respond to a question on when the crisis center will be operational in Muncie. Stephanie Wiechmann, IPR news.