Northern Idaho Crisis Center honored

The Northern Idaho Crisis Center has been chosen by Premier Inc. as a finalist for the 25th annual Monroe E. Trout Premier Cares Award. Representatives of the Crisis Center were honored during Premier’s annual Breakthroughs Conference on June 28 in Washington, D.C., and as part of the award the center received $30,000 to continue its work.

Sponsored by Premier and its member hospitals, the Cares Award recognizes exemplary efforts by nonprofit community organizations to improve the health of populations in need. The program spotlights these community-based health care initiatives and helps other organizations learn to replicate the unique programs by featuring information about them on the Cares Award website.

“Our health care, law enforcement and community leaders have invested extraordinary time, passion and effort into the Northern Idaho Crisis Center,” said Lora Whalen, Panhandle Health District director. “We are thrilled to be recognized at a national level. In less than two years’ time, the Crisis Center has made a remarkable impact in people’s lives throughout northern Idaho. Improving access to mental health care is a community priority and this award puts us in a position to continue providing appropriate care to those in crisis.”

The Northern Idaho Crisis Center is a nonprofit community organization, created to help people who are having a mental health crisis or a drug or alcohol problem. The Crisis Center is a joint project between Panhandle Health District, Kootenai Health and Heritage Health, and is supported by several other community organizations, law enforcement, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

“The Crisis Center is the end result of many years of community collaboration,” said Don Robinson, Crisis Center manager. “This national recognition was earned not only by our outstanding staff but by all of those in the community who shared a vision to improve access to mental health services and worked to make the center a reality.”

The Northern Idaho Crisis Center is the second crisis center funded through the Idaho State Legislature. It serves men and women from Idaho’s 10 northern counties, ages 18 and older, who need help with behavioral health or substance abuse issues. If additional care is needed patients will receive a referral for care before they leave the center.

“Being a finalist for the Premier Cares award is an honor and an acknowledgment of the work the Crisis Center does to serve the mentally ill and substance use population, some of the most underserved individuals in our region,” Claudia Miewald, director of Kootenai Health’s Behavioral Health Services, said.

A panel of national health care leaders selects the Premier Cares Award winner and two finalists. They will receive cash awards for use in further improving their programs.

“Our Cares Award program honors three outstanding organizations that are helping to care for a medically underserved population in their community,” said Susan DeVore, president and CEO, Premier. “Through its innovative program, the Northern Idaho Crisis Center is making a true impact on mental health in its community.”