SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — It’s a giant leap forward toward Sioux Falls’ first community triage center.
The city, the county, and local hospitals have agreed on the bylaws governing the operation of the triage center. If all goes well, the center could open in donated space downtown in November.
“Since taking office, our administration has been committed to moving this Triage Center project forward in a collaborative fashion,” says Mayor Paul TenHaken, “I’m proud of the work that’s been done by so many and look forward to this facility serving some of our most vulnerable populations.”
City Health Director Jill Franken has told City Council that one of the goals is to ease the burden on emergency rooms and the jail. She has shared statistics compiled in 2016.
“There were 6,300 visits to the patient emergency departments that were related to behavioral health issues and we also know that, at that time, there were over 10,000 jailed who suffered from mental illness or substance abuse disorder.”
The next step is to find a service provider for the triage center, which will be located at 132 North Dakota Avenue.
