Who
- San Francisco Mayor’s Office
- San Francisco Department of Public Health,
- San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing
What
In April, San Francisco will open a 24/7 police-friendly stabilization center at 822 Geary Street, where police officers can drop off people with urgent mental health and substance abuse needs so they can receive medical care. The goal is to keep people out of jails and emergency departments (EDs) and the city’s limited law enforcement resources on the street. With powers granted by the recently passed Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance, the city is able to expedite the center’s opening.
The stabilization center will be staffed by medical professionals and accept individuals dropped off by police, paramedics, and crisis teams — diverting them from EDs and freeing up resources for other urgent medical situations. The center will offer 16 beds, serving approximately 25 people per day, as well as care coordination for their next steps upon discharge.
Takeaway/Next Steps
San Francisco hospitals support the city’s efforts to provide immediate medical and psychiatric care to those in crisis and appreciate an approach that eases the pressure on our EDs and first responders. Hospital Council will continue to work with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and San Francisco Emergency Medical Services Agency to ensure coordination as these resources become available.
Contact
RVP Michon Coleman at mcoleman@hospitalcouncil.org