‘It’s very disappointing;’ County leaders left confused after crisis service provider cuts ties

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Millions of dollars went into providing mental health services in Montgomery County, but after a year of service, the company is quitting.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, RI International announced to the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services board last Wednesday that they would stop operations on May 22.

As News Center 7 previously reported, the goal of the facility was to make a place where officers could take someone having a mental health crisis to be evaluated, instead of being dropped off at jail.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Crisis service provider cuts ties with Montgomery County

Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck said even he doesn’t understand why RI International suddenly pulled its mental health crisis services out of the county.

“It’s very disappointing, we have a county that works well to come up with ideas, the problem is, these ideas are not lasting,” Streck said.

News Center 7 began looking for answers, first with Montgomery County administrators.

County commissioners said they had no role in this, either through funding, contract selection, or termination.

Commissioners directed questions toward the Montgomery County Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMHS).

A spokesperson said they did not have a statement at this time.

News Center 7 went to RI International’s office and was given a number to the company’s directors, but have not received a response at the time of reporting.

RI’s first contract with ADAMHS was valued at around $1.5 million

We will continue to follow this story.

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