Washington County CSU underutilized: A look at how it compares to other units in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Washington County Crisis Stabilization Unit is closing due to its low admission numbers.

“It’s a big loss. It’s something we have appreciated and collaborated on for many years now. We can tell already that it’s going to be missed,” said Sgt. Stacy Dicus with the Fayetteville Police Department.

From April-July 2023, the Pulaski County unit had 563 referrals with 47 of those coming from law enforcement agencies. Of those referrals, there were 256 admissions, according to UAMS. The Arkansas Department of Human Services reports the Washington County CSU has averaged 14 admissions per month since it reopened in August 2022.

Washington County Crisis Stabilization Unit to close after UAMS backs out as service provider

Dicus oversees the Fayetteville Police Department’s crisis invention response team. She says the closure will only hurt the community.

“We have collaborated with the CSU since its inception. It is something that has been very beneficial and a very large and helpful resource. So, losing them is going to hurt our community. It’s going to hurt what we can do and what resources we have when it comes to helping our community members,” said Dicus.

Dicus says the department will be providing more teams to help those suffering from mental illness.

“The whole point of our response team is to try to find another avenue to help these people who are having a mental health crisis to help prevent them from getting involved in the criminal justice system,” said Dicus.

According to the Fort Smith Police Department, the Sebastian County CSU has been vital in helping those experiencing a mental crisis. From April to July 2023, the unit averaged 80 admissions per month. Pulaski County averaged 67 and Craighead County averaged 38.

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