SPURWINK AWARDED GRANT TO ESTABLISH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS RECEIVING CENTER IN ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY

PORTLAND, ME - Spurwink is proud to announce it has been awarded the Crisis Receiving Center grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Behavioral Health, to establish and operate a Behavioral Health Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) in Androscoggin County. This award recognizes Spurwink's leadership and expertise in providing compassionate, trauma-informed crisis care for Mainers in need.

The new Crisis Receiving Center, to be located at 1155 Lisbon Street in Lewiston, will offer 24/7/365 access to short-term crisis stabilization, observation, assessment, and intervention for transition-age youth and adults experiencing behavioral health crises. The Center will provide a welcoming, home-like environment designed to reduce stigma and trauma, offering an alternative to emergency room visits or law enforcement involvement for individuals in crisis. It is anticipated the Center will be opening in late May or early June 2026.

"We are honored to be selected by the State of Maine to bring this critical resource to Androscoggin County," said Eric Meyer, President & CEO of Spurwink. "Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centered care that meets people where they are, when they need it most. The new Crisis Receiving Center will help individuals and families in our community access timely support, avoid unnecessary hospitalization, and connect to ongoing services for recovery and wellness."

Spurwink brings deep experience to this initiative, having launched Maine's first Crisis Receiving Center in Portland in 2022. That center has served over 2,400 individuals, providing more than 25,000 hours of service and demonstrating measurable reductions in emergency department visits and law enforcement involvement for people in crisis. The Lewiston CRC will replicate this successful "Living Room" model, with modifications to meet the unique needs of Androscoggin County.

Key Features of the Lewiston Crisis Receiving Center:

• 24/7 access to crisis assessment, peer support, clinical care, and medication management.
• Eight private outpatient chairs for short-term observation and stabilization, including dedicated space for transition-age youth.
• Trauma-informed, culturally sensitive environment designed to promote safety, dignity, and recovery.
• Strong partnerships with local law enforcement, hospitals, housing agencies, and community organizations to ensure seamless referrals and warm handoffs.

The Center will serve as a vital resource for individuals and families across Androscoggin County and surrounding rural areas, helping to fill critical gaps in the behavioral health crisis system. Spurwink's approach emphasizes collaboration, community engagement, and continuous quality improvement to ensure the highest standards of care.

This initiative is supported by the John T. Gorman Foundation and the strong partnerships Spurwink has built with local municipalities and organizations, including the Cities of Auburn, Lewiston, and Lisbon, Central Maine Medical Center, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, Lewiston Police Department, Livermore Falls Police Department, Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, Auburn Fire and Rescue, the Department of Corrections, the Androscoggin County Jail, and Community Concepts, Inc.

About Spurwink

Spurwink is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization that provides a broad range of behavioral health care, substance use disorder services and support services for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and their families. Spurwink offers specialized programs throughout Maine with a commitment to caring relationships and treatment expertise, grounded in evidence-based, best, and promising practices. For more information, visit www.spurwink.org, or call 207.871.1200.

This project is funded by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health, through the Network of Behavioral Health Crisis Receiving Centers grant program.

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Press Contact: Sandy Boyce, [email protected], 207.871.1211 x2156

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