King County has selected Connections Health Solutions for operating a new Crisis Care Center in Seattle, Washington, US.

Connections Health will operate the facility for the Central Crisis Response Zone under the King County Crisis Care Centers Initiative.

The walk-in facility will cater to individuals experiencing substance use and behavioural health emergencies.

It will operate continuously throughout the year and will collaborate with the Connections centre in Kirkland.

Serving the North Zone, the facility is said to be the first of five planned centres under King County’s remit.

The Central Zone facility will include several on-site care services, including walk-in behavioural health urgent care, a 23-hour crisis observation, and a unit that connects stabilised people to ongoing community resources and long-term providers.

Connections Health Solutions CEO Colin LeClair said: “Improving access to behavioural health crisis care is vitally important to the health of the people of King County and the region as a whole in providing immediate care and reducing costly hospitalisations, helping to minimise the burden on both the public health and judicial systems.

“We want anyone in crisis to know that they are not alone and that compassionate care and high-quality treatment is available at any time. We’re glad to expand upon our strong relationships with King County, local leaders, law enforcement, first responders, providers, and community-based resources to increase the availability of these life-saving services in King County.”

Connections Health Solutions was selected following a request for proposal issued by King County in September 2024.

The process assessed the ability of the providers to establish and run facilities delivering immediate, accessible mental health and substance use services.

The Seattle Crisis Care Center is anticipated to open in 2027.

In December 2024, Connections Health Solutions opened an emergency behavioural health crisis walk-in centre in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.