Schemmer (formerly MSH Architects) was tasked by Minnehaha County, the City of Sioux Falls and the local hospital systems to design The Link, a Community Triage Center, for individuals with a mental health or substance abuse crisis. Within the confines of the first floor of an existing building, Schemmer designed a low security, ligature resistant space for the Community Triage Center that will have a home-like non-institutional feel.

The new space includes:

• Ten client bedrooms for short-term care and treatment, as well as a sobering center with space for up to eight clients
• Swing room that functions as additional space for a client bedroom or female sobering area
• Full observation of all client areas from a central nurse station
• Crisis stabilization area with comfortable client chairs which allows full visibility and immediate access by staff for short-term assessment and treatments

Within the confines of a small space, the Community Triage Center is able to provide a short-term intermediary bridge and assessment for individuals that do not require an emergency room or detention until other appropriate behavioral health providers can be identified for their needs.