Purpose Statement
The Child and Adolescent Crisis Center is designed to provide twenty-four hour assessment and crisis stabilization to youth who are at risk for hospitalization and can be expected to stabilize in a short period of time.

Persons Served:
The Child and Adolescent Crisis Services Program will provide services to residents of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary,’s counties, who are 12 to17 years of age, who are experiencing an acute, short term psychiatric crisis and who elect to participate in the program.

Services
Crisis services are offered twenty-four hours a day in a residential placement. The Crisis residence is located in Calvert County.

The Assessment Process
Youth in crisis are assessed by support staff at the time of referral. Assessment initially includes a psychiatric referral, a medical clearance, and a plan of care. The Individual Treatment Plan (ITP), which assesses a youth’s needs, is completed within the first twenty-four hours of admission. This assessment tool incorporates input from the consumer, psychiatrist, therapist, and family as appropriate. A plan of action is agreed upon by support staff and youth to assist the consumer in stabilizing and returning to the community.

Residential Placement
Residential placement provides twenty-four supervision and direction. Staff members give guidance to youth in a multitude of social and interpersonal skill areas, which include problem-solving techniques, communication skills, stress management techniques, coping methods, and improving social and familial relationships. Youth, with staff support, are required to address the following areas: meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, personal hygiene, house management, time management, peer pressure issues and educational issues. The youth also receive education and support as needed in medications, budgeting, education and employment. Staff provides consumers with crisis support and interventions.

Service Linkage and Coordination
The Child and Adolescent Crisis Center staff coordinates all services that the youth receives with the youth, and when appropriate with the youth natural support network, and the youth’s current medical and mental health providers. Crisis staff members link the youth to all appropriate resources available in the community. These linkages include schools and other educational resources, charities, mental health services, medical services, hospitals, libraries, social services, churches, drug and alcohol services, homeless outreach services, shelters, and other resources as needed. Youth are provided with the support needed to effectively utilize these resources. This includes but is not limited to, transportation, assistance in making phone contacts, and assistance in filing out forms and applications.