[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534008,"mediaKeyId","3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce","parentId",3640826,"title","Hope Center’s Quantrail Jones transitional housing delayed after pipe burst; funding mix includes ARPA and private fundraising","audioSeconds",133,"startMs",2532000,"endMs",2665000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce&start=2532&end=2665","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce/thumbnail_2532000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534008/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Hope-Centers-Quantrail-Jones-transitional-housing-delayed-after-pipe-burst-funding-mix-includes-ARPA-and-private-fundraising","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534008-50aeaf77fd9b8fec80189aa6c95c2d5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407023&Signature=MNbLFek0DD6oYOIUvW8k1ff9U6QZ9pD-pxt0aTD5-dbASTNGLJ1kd2XD01dXxYAOOeC~nf1ZSQs~v797iNvKRRRq9oyeiWlrwPKHafzkJnW9JdKBLP4ZgcsjASoFM-XwIj0QfbmlLQ6tfH3N9979BSF09nIVJaEQ9~Im3miH3TRXfQfQ-6cbazN0yU6pY~tFMDKw1y9GKxjsFGpHTKJaKkMLgdRyS4PcEpaW41u3OxL2YJaUPsAmzPPwymEmnNGHL6oFbL9Am2vDFsYJzl-ZsaWHxtoTJUgHxwk7gjJ0eRf1ubpI-975jEOYHyXwoKnl2CRJl6j8BQ785C7lwr~h~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","Jeff Crook, chief executive officer of the Hope Center, briefed the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on June 3 on the Quantrail Jones Center expansion project next to the organization’s existing emergency shelter on Loudoun Avenue.

Project overview and funding
Crook said the new two-floor building is 18,674 square feet and contains 72 beds: 32 units targeted for veterans (including single units and one eight-bed unit) and 40 supportive transitional housing beds. Crook said funding for the roughly $6.8 million project includes $2,000,000 in LFUCG ARPA funds, $1,500,000 in veterans capital funding and $3,300,000 raised by the Hope Center.

Construction issues and schedule
Crook reported that a pipe burst on March 20 caused more than $1 million in damage; insurance will cover repairs but the incident pushed the opening back. He said the organization had hoped to open April 1 but the new optimistic target is July 1 and that date may be optimistic.

Services and operations
The facility will provide veterans transitional housing and service-intensive programs (case management, mental health and substance-abuse services, employment assistance) and supportive transitional housing for people moving out of emergency shelter. Crook said transitional housing aims to be goal-oriented and not simply another shelter bed: staff will work with residents on housing documentation, housing search and life-skills education to transition to permanent housing. David Shedd, the Hope Center chief programs officer, was present to answer programmatic questions.

Capacity and system impact
Crook said the expansion should free up shelter capacity at the existing emergency shelter — he estimated the project could free approximately 40 beds in the emergency shelter by moving veterans and transitional residents into the new facility. Council members asked about veteran eligibility and the referral process; Crook explained VA eligibility screening and coordination by street-outreach and shelter staff.

Contingency planning and outreach
When asked about contingency plans for future facility problems, Crook said the Hope Center operates several facilities and could rehouse people in other sites in emergencies; the organization also has a foundation and board donors who provide financial support for urgent needs. The project team said they use multiple outreach teams and a Hope Mobile unit that distributes meals and resources and that the city funds the street-outreach staff.

Ending
Council members praised the facility design and urged further planning for women’s services and contingency procedures. Crook said insurance will cover the current repairs and that the Hope Center is developing additional operational plans and outreach capacity as the opening approaches.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Social Services and Public Safety Committee - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Jeff Crook, CEO of the Hope Center, told the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on June 3 that the Quantrail Jones Center expansion is an 18,674‑square‑foot, two‑story building with 72 beds (32 for veterans, 40 supportive transitional) and that a March pipe burst caused more than $1 million in damage and delayed the opening.","taxTitle","Lexington City, Fayette County, Kentucky","taxId",5707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534013,"EMPATH psychiatric crisis center reports 4,000 visits in 10 months and large drop in ED behavioral-health use",523,1791000,2314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce&start=1791&end=2314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce/thumbnail_1791000.jpg","/articles/6534013/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/EMPATH-psychiatric-crisis-center-reports-4000-visits-in-10-months-and-large-drop-in-ED-behavioral-health-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534013-17f045a8a35900cc98c404c9d0168841/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407023&Signature=gB5-f~rci~3-y40OxFQYb-cVq5LrIOLT478-aQleVtic6pJNp~k0OxuuzvEuIRPGiKwV1aOn0eMhq1de2s0gsaXDWQnnxs8esaoMRcKAeCFzXI5802V39koXpfPp3Hvj23BAakY6fKhFG4FyWCj~umNEgqm3BTx0vLH12sxJqY33PM1FToPujA9yn0NawW8OdxAt~5pdqagJWIjNcFIbIU4ndMgc8x3AnN2Bx6o4QucXpnmyp69rvnx1qZXC4Fy7-xHakM1KOwPEuUt9A0UbEaMGc~jA2MD5CLv-fOpXdnJATxtQG2qjqPXcHQ7m-hfq0EKlSo8xtthjkBwkADbMcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Woods, chief nursing officer for UK HealthCare’s Eastern State Hospital EMPATH program, and Dr. Jasinski, chief administrative officer, told the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on June 3 that the EMPATH facility provides low‑barrier psychiatric crisis assessment and treatment and has significantly reduced emergency-department use for behavioral-health crises.

Woods said EMPATH opened July 30 of the prior year as the first EMPATH center in Kentucky and that it has expanded from 12 to 16 chairs with plans to reach 24. EMPATH accepts walk-ins and provides in-person psychiatric evaluation within 30 minutes (often within 10 minutes), starts treatment and stabilizes patients for up to 23 hours. Peer-support specialists and on-site providers operate 24/7, and the center provides transportation to follow-up appointments and residential treatment when needed.

Program outcomes and data
Woods reported that in roughly 10 months EMPATH has seen more than 4,000 patients. The average stay is about 16 hours; approximately 60–65% of visits are for suicidal crises. The presenters said 75–80% of patients are stabilized without hospital admission and that only about 7% of EMPATH visits result in transfer to Eastern State Hospital for inpatient care. Pre-EMPATH, about 29% of patients leaving the hospital made a follow-up appointment; EMPATH now achieves about 65% follow-up, typically with NuVista within 24–48 hours.

Woods and colleagues told the committee EMPATH reduced behavioral-health emergency-department visits for its frequent users from an average of 5.5 visits per six months to about 0.4 visits per six months — a roughly 92% reduction for that cohort. The presenters said EMPATH has received visitors and interest from other jurisdictions, has treated patients from 28 states, and won the National EMPATH of the Year award.

Model, partnerships and capacity issues
Speakers emphasized EMPATH’s low-barrier approach: it accepts patients without requiring ED medical clearance and treats people who are intoxicated, have intellectual or developmental disabilities, or hold involuntary holds when necessary. EMPATH uses an in-person provider model rather than telehealth for core clinical services, employs peer-support specialists and coordinates closely with fire/EMS, police and local treatment providers.

Committee members asked about capacity. Woods said the center has diverted or reached capacity about 10–12 times since opening and at times has handled up to 21 patients; staff are working to expand capacity and internal throughput so the facility does not have to turn people away. He said EMPATH shares its implementation manual and supports replication elsewhere.

Ending
Committee members praised the model and asked staff to continue coordinating with local partners to ensure access, transportation and appropriate follow-up care. EMPATH leaders said they plan to add long‑acting injectable medications, implement a single‑session suicide intervention (CAMS), and expand capacity.","Eastern State Hospital’s EMPATH center told the Social Services and Public Safety Committee it provided low‑barrier psychiatric crisis care to more than 4,000 patients in roughly 10 months, reduced emergency-department behavioral-health visits and won a national EMPATH award.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534018,"Lexington social services details naloxone distribution, recovery supports as opioid settlement spending is decided",685,317000,1002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce&start=317&end=1002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce/thumbnail_317000.jpg","/articles/6534018/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Lexington-social-services-details-naloxone-distribution-recovery-supports-as-opioid-settlement-spending-is-decided","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534018-241fc9a0ae870c3f42634f8d72797a84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407023&Signature=XcMkuom1eYnspUOhld9AnIWNWMsy4FBsTI3F-GhbACtC6tEUBuU343BGdwRVO-AenytXfn0ljv3YBbYj9Iwpfk0qZ-~3YUMDdnBRq1HQ3MD5x7dhyJAi5EBChRRfr2lKxFfiiVZl-EXcfpgRYIi3~qJhcbXK8fWxz-YaFpfSmpldIT5aiBkB1~5T8zf4XGy8NxNM7RNcMnyRUWFFWppIaO~7M060FA1EOjjRUpnlVLmmCneChsWg-4ssWs-H7XYKhMUdKg9dvIlT8c90PdPpHxV5qH9AcfDGTtL5A4QY6xrxSd7o7iLln4LQ2LeYhSRTehUeX7753Xdk~F1WCNVstw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carmen Combs Marks, the substance use disorder intervention coordinator in Lexington’s Department of Social Services, briefed the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on June 3 on the department’s naloxone distribution, outreach and recovery-support activities and on plans for allocating opioid-litigation settlement funds.

Marks said the program’s current federal grant funding comes primarily from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), with $499,997 identified for the program. The department distributes naloxone (Narcan) in the community, provides training and operates a Recovery Supported Living Assistance (RSLA) payment that offers a one-time assistance payment (now up to $500) for people entering certified sober-living homes. Marks said the RSLA payment is a one-time boost, not a recurring monthly stipend.

Marks described partnerships with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department’s syringe service program to provide community naloxone training and with first responders. The program places naloxone in “lock boxes” at some hotels, schools and other sites, conducts outreach in nontraditional community settings (barbershops, beauty shops and festivals), and offers service navigation and referral to treatment providers. Marks said the outreach coordinator, Scott Lou Allen, works weekly with John Moses at the health department.

Why this matters: the city’s opioid-abatement commission holds roughly $7 million in nationally distributed opioid litigation funds to date, and the committee heard that a recent Kroger settlement payment added about $197,000 (with potentially a second payment). The committee was told that the mayor’s opioid advisory group is preparing final recommendations for the mayor on how to spend settlement funds and intends to submit those recommendations in the coming weeks.

Key program details and discussion
Marks reported a 32% decrease in overdose deaths since 2023 but said the program cannot claim sole credit: “I don't know that it's directly related to our program. I'd like to say yes.” She emphasized multi-agency partnerships — hospitals, the Hope Center, Voices of Hope and others — as contributors to the decline.

On equity and targeted distribution, Councilwoman Gray asked how the city ensures naloxone reaches communities with higher overdose rates among African American males. Marks said the program has been intentional about visibility at community events and faith-based organizations and reported that overdose rates for African American males fell by half in the last year. She urged council members to recommend outreach venues the program might not already use.

Marks said the RSLA program’s eligibility is limited to individuals in certified sober-living homes that are working toward or have NARS/CARR certification; selection for the one-time stipend can be random and is administered over roughly a two-year span. The RSLA payment currently is paid from general funds; the department is exploring whether opioid-abatement funds could be used to sustain or expand the program should federal grant support lapse.

Funding and next steps
Marks said the program’s SAMHSA four-year grant began in 2022 and is entering its fourth year; the team is preparing for the grant cycle that restarts in October and is planning for contingencies if federal or grant funding changes. She told the committee the opioid abatement commission meets monthly and that presentations may be made via an application link on the program website.

The mayor’s Substance Use Disorder Advisory Council is finalizing recommendations and will present them to the mayor in the next couple of weeks; Marks said the commission plans grant opportunities designed to distribute funds for prevention, treatment and recovery services.

Ending
Committee members thanked Marks and staff for the presentation and asked for follow-up materials on lock-box locations and naloxone-distribution figures. Marks said she would provide the requested information and encouraged council members to remain engaged with community outreach and with the advisory group’s upcoming recommendations.","Carmen Combs Marks told the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on June 3 that the Substance Use Disorder Intervention Program distributes naloxone, runs a recovery living assistance payment, and is preparing recommendations for how to use opioid-litigation funds; the program’s SAMHSA grant and future funding sources are uncertain.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534003,"Committee approves meeting minutes and removes several updates from its referrals list",5233,292000,5525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce&start=292&end=5525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640826-159a12a8b8f9433762588dfa780fb1ce/thumbnail_292000.jpg","/articles/6534003/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Committee-approves-meeting-minutes-and-removes-several-updates-from-its-referrals-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534003-aad0d70b900335556db09825a8086f72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407023&Signature=lxaAadtkubxv8FCRkTJjQAxN9dt7vdYL7grGnWw7JIeDHgd8jlkZQNttrMYx5wRB5wUUFeu0i9ap32sIWdUDQvP~RBVXPhAjjCAqWiQZKoxiEINAz6ks6IjLYRapntPixVC1Xr5pRUkb6OBVHqG9aoVBaR-UT--FocrWeoySdqis881eeVJCJCpuJMtjhRs5boVEmUeQy8JRUDYiK8i26NWrau6UJhgTwX0hmvDAkPpndFlVDvQyWCvXwbrX-SDagpGLwTr15aLGtHZk-~0LsYbDgA2CaLGVdp8VmV9h5H1aRRQO8OgbtOujnhxWGt73ln23pxF2elNDYikhsJUJzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Social Services and Public Safety Committee began its June 3 meeting by approving the committee summary of the April 15, 2025 meeting. A motion to approve was seconded and the committee chair said, “That motion passes.”

Later in the meeting the committee handled the referrals list. Committee members moved and voted by voice to remove several items from the committee referrals list: the review of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the EMPATH center update and the Hope Center expansion project update. Councilmembers announced motions and seconds and the chair called for voice votes; in each case the chair called “All those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed?” and no opposition was recorded on the transcript, after which the chair confirmed the item’s removal.

These actions were procedural votes of the committee; the transcript does not record roll-call tallies or named vote records for these motions.","The Social Services and Public Safety Committee approved minutes from the April 15, 2025 meeting and voted to remove several items (including the Fayette County Sheriff review, the EMPATH update and the Hope Center expansion update) from the committee referrals list by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hope Center’s Quantrail Jones transitional housing delayed after pipe burst; funding mix includes ARPA and private fundraising

EMPATH psychiatric crisis center reports 4,000 visits in 10 months and large drop in ED behavioral-health use

Lexington social services details naloxone distribution, recovery supports as opioid settlement spending is decided

Committee approves meeting minutes and removes several updates from its referrals list