DBHDD, River Edge, Mercer University Celebrate Opening of First-of-Its-Kind IDD Crisis Services and Diagnostic Center in Macon

MACON – The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) today announced the opening of the state’s first Crisis Services and Diagnostic Center (CSDC) for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and the Mercer University School of Medicine Center for IDD Care. The CSDC and Mercer University’s Center for IDD Care will start accepting patients on June 16.

“This facility is more than just a building,” said Commissioner Kevin Tanner. “It’s a promise -- a – a promise that we will no longer allow people with IDD to fall through the cracks. This center is a model of what can happen when public and private partners come together to meet the needs of the community with compassion, innovation, and determination.”

Located in the heart of Macon, the CSDC marks a major milestone in Georgia’s efforts to expand crisis care and reduce hospitalizations for individuals with IDD. The facility provides specialized services tailored to the needs of individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, with the goal of ensuring timely, appropriate and person-centered care.

The CSDC will serve individuals from across the state, helping to reduce the strain on emergency rooms and hospital systems that may lack the resources to care for individuals with complex developmental needs. The CSDC will offer a range of services to ensure both behavioral and physical needs of individuals are addressed, including neurology, psychiatry, physical and occupational therapy, dentistry, ophthalmology, and speech-language pathology.

The Mercer University School of Medicine Center for IDD will serve as a training site for future doctors, equipping them with firsthand experience in treating individuals with developmental disabilities, especially vital in rural communities where access to specialized care remains limited.

“Through this innovative partnership, we are not only meeting urgent needs today, but also building a stronger, better-trained workforce for tomorrow,” added Commissioner Tanner. “This is the type of forward-thinking investment that can and should be replicated throughout Georgia.”

While the center is not an emergency receiving facility, it serves as a critical step-down option for individuals leaving hospital settings but still in need of extended care and support. Its design allows for longer stays and individualized discharge planning, ensuring every person receives the right care at the right time. 

On June 9, Commissioner Tanner and representatives from River Edge Behavioral Health and Mercer University School of Medicine gathered to celebrate the opening. They were joined by state legislators and community leaders who helped bring the project to life.