Great Falls Starts Construction on Crisis Center

The new facility at 1220 Central Ave. provides a specialized alternative to jail or the emergency room.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Substance Abuse

A low-rise brick industrial building under renovation with construction materials stacked on a gravel lot under a wide, clear sky. — Construction has begun on a new behavioral health crisis center in Great Falls, designed to divert patients away from emergency rooms and jails. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local community prioritize specialized crisis centers over jail for mental health emergencies?

Construction officially began on a new behavioral health crisis center in Great Falls to provide support services for local residents. The center aims to offer first responders a diversionary option rather than traditional emergency room or jail intake.

Why it matters

The center is designed to relieve pressure on local emergency departments and correctional facilities by offering targeted crisis care. Providing immediate behavioral support helps community members avoid unnecessary legal or medical hospital processing.

The project secured a $1.4 million Crisis Diversion Grant, with $1 million dedicated to the facility and $400,000 for a mobile response team. Patients will be eligible for intake services with a maximum stay of 23 hours and 59 minutes.

The players

Indian Family Health Clinic

This organization is providing the second-floor space for the new behavioral health crisis center.

The details

Located at 1220 Central Ave. inside space provided by the Indian Family Health Clinic, the site requires lead and asbestos abatement before construction can proceed. Once fully operational, the center will handle behavioral health crises in a dedicated environment.

Construction began on Oct. 29, 2026.
Mobile response team operations are expected by the end of 2026.
Construction is scheduled to finish in June 2027.
The center targets a service opening for July 2027.

Health Landscape

This project follows a pattern set by Crisis Diversion Grant programs to prioritize community-based health infrastructure over incarceration. It marks a departure from traditional reliance on emergency rooms for behavioral health support.

Residents experiencing a mental health crisis will have access to a specialized facility that keeps them out of the jail system. The integration of mobile response teams should also reduce wait times for immediate intervention services.

The takeaway

The center provides a streamlined pathway for individuals in crisis to receive care without entering the justice system. By mid-2027, the community will have access to a dedicated facility designed to manage behavioral health needs effectively.