98ɫ���� and hosted a virtual open house for the Delano Recovery Station on Monday, June 15, 2020.

“We ae excited to be opening up our second recovery station here in Delano,” said Bill Walker, Director of Kern Behavioral Health & Recovery Services. “We are very thrilled to be able to partner with Kern County Behavioral Health and to support our community partners in providing emergency services, crisis services, and provide a unique solution to some of the challenges by the community of Delano and the surrounding areas.”

Like the Bakersfield Recovery Station ceremony, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Delano Recovery Station ribbon-cutting ceremony was streamed on.

The Delano Recovery Station is the third substance use treatment services (SUTS) program that 98ɫ���� operates. The 6-client, short-stay, voluntary program provides screening, access, and linkage to care for individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use needs. Services are strength-based and person-centered and aim to promote recovery in a welcoming setting.

What makes these recovery stations unique is their use of peer staff.

“These programs are primarily staff by peer professionals, said Crystal Eastburn, Start-Up Project Administrator at 98ɫ����. “We are really excited about the fact that our peer staff can use their lived experience to instill hope and help those who are coming in who are considering receiving treatment for mental health or substance use to find their way with someone who has been through the same journey.”

The goal of the Delano Recovery Station is to provide a law enforcement diversion for persons who are acutely intoxicated and have a co-occurring mental illness where, instead of being arrested, they are presented with an opportunity for peer engagement, assessment, brief clinical interventions, and linkage with community-based services.

“I am really hopeful that this will not only help the citizens of Delano, but it will be of assistance to the Delano Police Department during instances where they may have someone where might be better for them to get help here instead of driving them all the way to the county jail,” said David Couch, Kern County District 4 Supervisor.

The program opened on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.