A Preliminary Economic Evaluation of the Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit (PCRCSU)

Melissa Zielinski conducted a preliminary economic evaluation of the Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit (PCRCSU), with CHERISH Research Affiliate Joshua Barocas and colleagues, to provide timely information on the budget impact of the unit to the state of Arkansas as it considers expanding the number of units throughout the state.

Melissa Zielinski is an assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Her broader research expertise lies in intra- and interpersonal mechanisms of mental illness, the intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system, and creation of self-report measures for assessing psychological constructs. Zielinski formerly served as the evaluator for the Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit (PCRCSU), one of Arkansas’ four state-mandated crisis stabilization units intended to aid in diverting people who come into contact with police due to acute mental health crises from jails and into a medically-appropriate level of care.