County Opens Crisis Support Center for 24/7 Behavioral Health Services
Published on January 27, 2026
Ulster County Opens Crisis Support Center in Kingston to Provide 24/7 Behavioral Health Services
KINGSTON, NY - Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger today announced the opening of the Ulster County Crisis Support Center, operated by People USA in partnership with the Ulster County Department of Mental Health. The Center will operate around the clock every day, providing immediate support for youth and adults of all ages experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The Center is located on the first floor of the Ulster County Center for Well-Being at 368 Broadway in Kingston.
Services will include clinical assessments, timely intervention, peer support, and coordinated follow-up care, with the goal of reducing immediate risks and helping individuals move toward lasting recovery, while offering a safe and welcoming space where people can feel comfortable and supported.
The service will help avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations by providing prompt, community-based crisis care in a less restrictive setting. The Center will also provide law enforcement with the ability to divert individuals with behavioral health or substance use challenges so they can receive appropriate and timely assistance and services.
“The Crisis Support Center represents a major step forward in how we care for our community, ensuring that our residents have access to compassionate, community‑based care in a supportive environment, any time of day or night,” said County Executive Jen Metzger. “These around-the-clock services complement programs and services offered on other floors of the Ulster County Center for Well-Being, providing a continuum of care for children, families, and adults under one roof. Whether someone is seeking urgent behavioral health care, long‑term counseling, or support for a child in crisis, this building brings together the partners and programs that help our residents heal, build resilience, and thrive. I want to thank Mental Health Commissioner Tara McDonald, Deputy Commissioner Katrina Williams, Special Projects Director Joleen Darby, and our partners at People USA, for all their work to make the vision of a crisis support center a reality. We are also grateful to NYS Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan and her team for their support every step of the way.”
“The opening of this vital 24/7 intensive and supportive program is an example of the wonderful things that can happen when there is alignment between local government, state government, and strong partnerships with community-based organizations,” said Tara McDonald, Department of Mental Health Commissioner. “The Ulster County Crisis Support Center operated by People USA has been in development for more than three years and there were many times that we questioned whether we would cross the finish line and make it to this day. But, knowing that the center will provide our County residents with a welcoming environment and qualified compassionate staff ready to support them during challenging times, makes it all worth it. After they move through the crisis, they can continue to receive support on an ongoing basis through the programs and services offered throughout the Ulster County Center for Well-Being. This is a hopeful time for the behavioral health system of care in Ulster County.”
“The Support Center is a beacon of hope for so many in our community, often serving as their first step along their journey to recovery and wellness,” said Steve Miccio, People USA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We have redefined compassionate and effective care for those in crisis.”
“When we first envisioned this initiative, our goal was to create a place where people could get help the moment they needed it — not weeks or months later,” said Ulster County Public Health Director Eve Walter, who first proposed the crisis support center when she served in the Ulster County Legislature. “As chair of the Criminal Justice Reform Task Force, I heard repeatedly from judges and law enforcement that they had nowhere appropriate to bring people in crisis. At the same time, COVID had eliminated critical mental health beds in our region. After visiting the Dutchess County Stabilization Center with Legislator Criswell and seeing its impact, we knew Ulster County needed this. We secured ARPA funding to make it possible, and seeing this Center open 24/7 is a powerful reminder of what thoughtful investment and collaboration can achieve for our community.”
“I’m thrilled to see the Crisis Support Center opening its doors in Ulster County,” said Peter Criswell, Chair of the Ulster County Legislature. “When the Legislature dedicated federally allocated ARPA funds to this project, our goal was clear: to support our most vulnerable residents while investing in a facility that would serve our community for decades to come. This Center fills a long-standing gap in our behavioral health system by offering 24/7, walk-in access and peer-led support in a safe, welcoming environment. It is a perfect fit within the Center for Well‑Being, where multiple behavioral health programs now operate under one roof, ensuring people in crisis can access the compassionate care they deserve, right when they need it.”
A Comprehensive Hub for Community Wellness
While the Crisis Support Center serves residents on the first floor, the Ulster County Center for Well‑Being houses a full spectrum of behavioral health and wellness services in the building:
Second Floor – Access: Supports for Living – Behavioral Health Urgent Care
The second floor provides walk‑in behavioral health urgent care for adults and children — no appointment needed. Services include immediate evaluation, counseling, safety planning, and referrals for longer‑term treatment. Licensed clinicians and certified peers offer compassionate, trauma‑informed care, including individual therapy, medication management, and support for both mental health and substance use needs.
Third Floor – Children’s Way Counseling Center
Operated by the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie in partnership with the Ulster County Community Support Division, the third floor is home to the Children’s Way Counseling Center, a new youth mental health clinic serving ages 5–21. Services include early assessment, psychiatric evaluation, crisis intervention, medication treatment, individual and family therapy, and complex care management. The program focuses on helping young people build resilience, stay connected to school and family, and receive care in the least restrictive setting possible.
Fourth Floor – Ulster County Department of Mental Health
The fourth floor houses the Ulster County Department of Mental Health, providing oversight, coordination, and support for the County’s behavioral health system, including community programs, prevention initiatives, and partnerships with service providers across the region.
About People USA
People USA is a peer‑run mental health non‑profit that creates, provides, and promotes its own innovative crisis response and wellness services. Being peer‑run means that all services are developed and operated by people who have personally overcome mental health issues, addiction, or trauma. This makes People USA a valuable addition and alternative to the traditional behavioral health care system. People USA’s unique, peer‑led models are proven to significantly reduce hospital utilization, incarceration rates, and overall healthcare spending.
For more information, visit ulstercountyny.gov/center-for-well-being