Grassroots has moved its location in order to substantially expand its 24-hour crisis intervention, mental health, substance use disorder, housing support and suicide prevention services. This expansion helps Grassroots meet the increased demand for urgent and ongoing mental health and substance use disorder services in Howard County. Individuals are able to access enhanced free, 24-hour walk-in counseling, homeless services, crisis stabilization, resources and more at 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A in Columbia.
At more than 11,000 square feet, the new Grassroots Crisis Intervention location houses the 24-hour Grassroots Crisis Line, 410-531-6677, as well as the 988 Suicide and Crisis call, chat and text programs. In addition, walk-in crisis assistance includes mental health services and the substance use disorder program to screen, stabilize and support clients. Mobile Crisis Response, which consists of two teams of Grassroots clinicians who respond onsite to community crises, also relocated to the new facility.
In addition, the new location allows Grassroots to provide 24-7 Urgent Care, outpatient substance use disorder services, and full mental health counseling and medication management to adults, adolescents and children via an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (OMHC).
While the Grassroots Emergency Shelter will remain at its current location at 6700 Freetown Road in Columbia, crisis walk-in services for people anticipating or experiencing homelessness are being conducted at the new facility on Old Annapolis Road to help determine housing options and access various resources. We remain open to the possibility that we will soon be able to expand our much-needed emergency shelter services.
The new facility was made possible with the support of the State of Maryland, the Howard County state delegation and United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, and in partnership with the Howard County Executive Office, the Howard County Health Department, the Howard County Council and the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission.
The Grassroots Emergency Shelter houses families and individuals, who receive life skills training, and counseling, as needed, as well as assistance with participating in job readiness activities, getting and keeping a job, finding permanent housing and accessing social services.
The Grassroots Day Resource Center at 10390 Guilford Road, Suite A, in Jessup, serves lower income residents and those who are chronically homeless by providing connections to homeless services, case management and a range of supports, including hot meals, showers, and laundry, as well as access to food and clothing pantries. Faith communities, civic groups, other organizations and individuals donate meals and food items to Grassroots and volunteer throughout the agency.
During the past year, Grassroots’ 24-hour crisis services included 72,949 calls answered on the Grassroots Crisis Line, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and 211 Maryland. There were 3,165 face-to-face contacts, 1,278 community responses by the Mobile Crisis Team, and 62 clients enrolled in the Substance Use Disorder Crisis Stabilization Program. A total of 586 people were served in its shelter programs, and 1,159 were assisted at the Day Resource Center.
We urge you to call our crisis line at 410-531-6677 if you need any support at all.