United Caring Services Opens Diversion Center to Help Individuals in Crisis

After years of hard work, United Caring Services (UCS) of Evansville, Ind., hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 25 for its new Diversion Center. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the UCS campus, speak with staff members, and learn more about the Diversion Center and all of UCS’ programming.

As substance misuse, mental illness, and homelessness continue to rise, the Diversion Center is an innovative program to provide a compassionate, safe space to serve individuals who are in crisis, while also diverting from unnecessary and costly emergency medical services and/or incarceration. One objective of the Diversion Center is to collaborate with partner agencies to identify a pathway toward recovery and success for the most vulnerable members of our community.

The Diversion Center “a four-bed unit that will provide a safe space to de-escalate while also having access to meals, laundry and showers facilities, and case management assistance,” said Maggie Taylor, UCS’ director of recuperative care. “The goal of this program is to provide a place where individuals can recuperate and have the opportunity to connect with partner agencies for treatment and future success.”

The opening of the center took years of research and collaborative planning by city and county officials, as well as community supporters.