Spindletop Center receives grant to respond during disaster

Jefferson County has awarded a grant of $957,474 to Spindletop Center through funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The grant funds will allow Spindletop Center to purchase and install a power generator for its North Campus facility, located at 655 S. 8th Street in Beaumont, preventing disruptions of Spindletop Center’s critical services to the community during electric service interruptions.

“It is part of Spindletop’s mission to be the safety net for people in our community with mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Holly Borel, Spindletop Center’s Chief Executive Officer. “The need for rapid response of mental health services is never more critical than during and in the aftermath of disasters.”

The generator will prevent disruptions to Spindletop Center’s ability to dispense medications, provide crisis intervention services, as well as wellness checks in the area. In addition to those services, the Spindletop Center’s Mental Health Deputies would relocate to the center’s North Campus in times of disaster to activate and assist law enforcement with specialized response, provide diversions from hospital emergency departments and jail facilities that are overwhelmed during times of crisis.

“We are so grateful to Jefferson County for the support of our efforts to be ever prepared to respond when our Southeast Texas residents are most in need,” said Borel.