Washington County Opens Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Care Center

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 23, 2017

After two years of planning, the Hawthorn Walk-in Center for Mental Health and Addictions Care opened today. Located at 5240 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, in Hillsboro, this is Washington County’s first mental health urgent care center. Project leaders, elected officials and community partners celebrated with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony this morning.

“When you consider how much had to be done and how many organizations and perspectives were engaged, this project moved at an amazing pace,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Andy Duyck in his remarks. “This is a proud day for Washington County.”

The Hawthorn Walk-in Center is open every day from 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and is located just steps from the Hawthorn Farm MAX stop. Both walk-ins and appointments are available. It’s a place for people who need help for themselves or for a loved one but do not require hospital-based help. Services include assessment, crisis counseling, mental health education, and connection to treatment providers and other social services for ongoing care.

“The center was thoughtfully designed to be a safe and welcoming place for people of all ages,” says Kristin Burke, division manager for Washington County Human Services. “The comfort of the lobby and waiting area, two doors in each treatment room, open and collaborative staff areas, the art and paint colors on the walls…All of these choices were very deliberate.”

As with the rest of the County’s mental health crisis services, Washington County is contracting with LifeWorks Northwest to provide staffing and services at Hawthorn. Staff include master’s level clinicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, service coordinators and trained peer support specialists who have lived experience with mental health challenges and addictions. Spanish-speaking staff are available, and interpretation can be arranged for other languages.

All County mental health crisis services will operate out of this location. “By having all of our crisis services under one roof, we are able to provide more comprehensive and efficient care to a person in need,” says Kris Puttler-Miller, program director at LifeWorks NW, a longstanding organization that provides a full range of mental health, addiction and prevention services for children and adults — from infants to seniors —across the Portland metro area.

Services at the Hawthorn Walk-in Center are provided at no cost, although insurance may be billed. Nobody is turned away due to insurance status or inability to pay.

Washington County Human Services staff and programs including mental health, developmental disabilities and addictions recently moved into adjoining space in the building. Neighboring organizations in the complex include Oregon Department of Human Services and Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services. There will also be shared space available at Hawthorn for other nonprofits to provide services onsite. “This makes connecting people to services even more seamless,” says Burke.

For more information, visit www.HawthornWalkinCenter.com. The 24/7 Washington County Crisis Line is 503-291-9111.

Media Contact: