Crisis centers’ operations passing to nonprofits

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Lincoln County supervisors have voted to become a member of Region 8 Mental Health Services, a geographically smaller but much better-funded organization promising to improve local mental health services.

The county board of supervisors voted 4-1 to end a 36-year affiliation with Southwest Mississippi Community Mental Health Complex, also called Region 11.

The Brookhaven Daily Leader reports that Region 8 will take over Oct. 1 and bring 50 new jobs and construct a $4 million treatment center in Brookhaven.

Supervisors said officials from both organizations would work to make a seamless transition.

Department of Mental Health officials are expected to act on the switch this week.

Region 8 serves residents in Madison, Rankin, Simpson and Copiah counties.