24 Hour Emergency and Screening Services
(802)229-0591

INTENSIVE CARE SERVICES is a combined service that provides 24-hour emergency and screening services for individuals and families.  The primary goal is to reduce the immediate effects of crisis and encourage stabilization.  The following programs are included:

• The EMERGENCY TEAM is a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week crisis intervention and assessment program covering all of Washington County and part of Orange County.  Services include telephone consultation, assessment for admission to local and statewide residential crisis programs, on-site crisis intervention, referral and follow-up, and critical incident stress debriefing.

• ACCESS is a program specifically designed to provide services to families in need of immediate, brief therapeutic case management.  ACCESS is an intensive, home-based service with a goal of crisis stabilization.  If services are needed beyond the time frame for ACCESS, referrals are made to long-term service programs.

• HOME INTERVENTION is a mental health crisis bed program, also known as a hospital diversion program. The program has four beds for adults within two apartments, and one bed for a child in a third apartment. Individuals who come to Home Intervention demonstrate a need for this 24/7 supervised program due to presenting in mental health crisis. The program is voluntary and individuals are screened into the program by the Emergency Services screeners. The program director and assistant director are nurses. Nursing oversight is provided 14 hours/day, M-F; part time on weekends. Psychiatric evaluation and assessment is also provided. Daily rounds are made, M-F, by psychiatry. Psychiatric and nursing consultation is available at all times. Staffing is available to provide 1:1 supervision, if safety needs necessitate. If 1:1 supervision is not deemed necessary, the normal staffing ratio is 1:2 (one staff person to two residents).
  
  Each client has his/her own bedroom while residing at Home Intervention. Program safety precautions, rules, and rights are reviewed upon admission. Medication oversight is provided, required, and documented. Meals and snacks are provided. Clinical notes are written on each shift, crisis and safety plans are developed during admission, and discharge planning is performed, resulting in a discharge summary. Clients are able to attend appointments, participate in community activities, and transition home as determined daily through treatment planning and safety assessments.

• For further information regarding any of these programs, contact the main offices of Washington County Mental Health Services, 802-229-0591.  This telephone number also serves as the agency’s 24-hour emergency number

  

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