Residents relying on the services of the Behavioral Health Resource Center Day Center and Shelter in Multnomah County should prepare for a temporary disruption this May. The facility has announced a scheduled week-long shutdown starting Monday, May 6, through to Sunday, May 12. The closure will allow for essential fire protection upgrades, specifically the replacement of elevator smoke curtains, these crucial safety devices help prevent smoke and heat from spreading through elevator shafts in the event of a fire.
The interruption in services, according to the County, is a strategic move aimed at minimizing what could have otherwise been a five-week period of inconvenience. By closing the facility entirely, the County hopes to accelerate the construction process and limit the impact on the individuals who depend on the Day Center, Shelter, and Bridge housing. In a statement by the Multnomah County, officials also highlighted additional improvements, including addressing drainage issues within the property's courtyard.
Besides making the facility safer and more efficient, the time off will be used to shore up the professional standing of its staff. Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon staff operating the Day Center are set to earn continuing education credits for their annual certification during this timeframe. Likewise, Do Good Multnomah employees, who manage the shelter and bridge housing, will take this opportunity to train peer staff.
County officials are leaving no stone unturned in preparing for the hiatus. They've already begun the process of alerting Day Center patrons about the May closure, guiding them towards alternate services in the interim. Shelter staff have adjusted their intake schedules in anticipation, and arrangements are in place for the 14 Bridge Housing participants who will need relocation during the upgrades. Once the doors reopen on May 13, the Shelter Program is poised to kick off a swift referral and acceptance procedure, while the Bridge Program rolls out the welcome mat for returning participants.
