HSA’s Kari Johnston discusses Watertown’s new Appropriate Regional Facility (Audio)
June 15, 2023
Mike Tanner
WATERTOWN, S.D.–A public open house is being held today on Watertown’s new Appropriate Regional Facility.
It’s a new building located directly behind the Human Service Agency, where Kari Johnston is the executive director…..
Up until now, people in need of a mental health evaluation were transported to the State Hospital in Yankton.
Now that evaluation can be done in Watertown.
Johnston says this new facility is not a want….but a need….
In Watertown’s case, it’s a $7.7 million facility that was largely constructed through donations from the likes of Prairie Lakes Healthcare, the Human Service Agency Foundation, the Watertown Area Community Foundation and First PREMIER Banks among others. It features a 16 bed halfway house for male residents, four beds for detox, and four beds for those experiencing a mental health crisis.
The public can tour the facility today (Thursday), beginning at 5:30. Refreshments will be served.
Johnston says it’ll open for clients in early July.
Hear our entire conversation with Kari Johnston by clicking below:
