Crisis Intervention Services

Sedgwick County > Human Services > COMCARE > Crisis Intervention Services

934 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67203
316-660-7525 – Administrative Office
316-660-7500 – 24-Hour Crisis Line
316-660-1897 (Fax) TTY 1-800-766-3777
Jason Scheck, LSCSW, Director
Tisha Darland, LMSW, Program Manager
Cara Long, LMSW, Program Manager

Crisis Intervention Services (CIS) provides mental health emergency services on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, to all individuals in Sedgwick County. Over 60,000 calls were processed through the crisis lines in 2011. In addition to telephone intervention, CIS provides face-to-face crisis intervention services, including those facilitated by a mobile crisis unit. When a client comes to the CIS facility, clinical staff are available for intervention, treatment planning or a referral to another community resource. When appropriate, the client will see a medical provider to assess the need for medication. A number of other services are provided under the CIS umbrella, which play a crucial role in helping clients deal with their emergencies. These are described below in greater detail.

CIS Staff: Crisis Intervention Services is staffed by 70 full-time and part-time mental health professionals and clerical staff employed by COMCARE of Sedgwick County. Many staff members are Qualified Mental Health Professionals licensed at the masters or doctoral level in Social Work, Clinical Psychology or Psychiatric Nursing. Other staff members have education, specific training and experience to provide telephone intervention and assessment services as well as case management services. A medical provider is available at CIS for scheduled appointments during business hours. A security officer is on duty at the facility 24 hours a day.

Suicide Prevention Services: Crisis Intervention Services is the Suicide Prevention Service for Sedgwick County. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in Kansas. One of every six suicides in Kansas occurs in Sedgwick County. At CIS, priority is given to the assessment and intervention with callers who may be at risk for suicide. CIS is represented on the Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Coalition and several staff at CIS participate in activities to increase public awareness of suicide and the availability of intervention services.

Stress/Trauma Assistance Team (STAT): The STAT team consists of mental health professionals who are trained to provide Critical Incident Stress Debriefings. A critical incident is any event that threatens a person’s sense of well-being and generates extraordinary levels of stress. Some examples include, but are not limited to, violence in the workplace, suicide, accidental or violent death, and natural disasters. When such events occur, a team of two or more mental health professionals go on site to lead the debriefing, and to help those affected to cope with and manage the acute levels of stress that may develop as a result of a traumatic event. STAT does not charge for this service, but does accept donations. A request for a debriefing can be made by calling the crisis hotline at 660-7500.

Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU): The Mobile Crisis Unit is comprised of two CIS staff – one master’s level therapist and one case manager. MCU hours of operation are from 8:00 am to midnight seven days a week including holidays. MCU services can be requested by calling the crisis hotline at 316-660-7500. The goal of MCU is to provide emergency assessment when the individual is at risk for psychiatric hospitalization and the referring source has been unable to get the consumer to the crisis center for assessment.

Transition Team: The Transition Team provides intensive short-term case management and crisis stabilization and follow-up. The Transition Team includes a Qualified Mental Health Professional who supervises the team, an Inpatient Coordinator, a Diversion Specialist, Care Coordinator, and case managers.

Community Assessment Program for Seniors (CAPS): This program is funded by mill levy funding through the Sedgwick County Department on Aging, and serves adults 60 years of age or older who are residents of Sedgwick County and are identified at risk for mental health issues. Referral to this program can come from anyone by calling 660-7500. In the CAPS program, therapists meet with individuals at their home for up to three visits at no charge to the elderly or their families. The CAPS therapist will assess, intervene or refer as appropriate should the client need further assistance.

Medicaid Pre-Assessment Screening: CIS is responsible for screening adults, children and adolescents who have or are eligible for Medicaid and are being considered for admission to a local psychiatric treatment facility. The pre-admission assessment determines the appropriateness and need for inpatient services and explores other community alternatives.

State Hospital Pre Admission Screening: CIS is the gatekeeper for the State Hospital at Osawatomie. Any individual within Sedgwick County, who is being referred for admission to a State Hospital, must be screened by staff from CIS to insure the appropriateness and need for state hospital services and to confirm that all appropriate local services have been considered.

Pre-Petition Screening: Crisis Intervention Services works in conjunction with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office in the filing of mental petitions (petitions for involuntary treatment). Any individual wishing to file a mental petition without a statement from a physician recommending involuntary treatment will be directed to CIS for pre-petition screening prior to the filing of the actual petition. CIS staff will meet with the petitioner to insure that the situation meets the criteria for a mental petition and that all efforts have been exhausted to initiate assessment and treatment services at a voluntary level.

Crisis Case Management: Crisis Case Management assists with locating and arranging resources (including food, clothing, transportation and shelter) within the community to address a variety of the client needs.

Crisis Attendant Care (CAC): Crisis Attendant Care provides support in the home or community to assist the client to function without needing a higher level of care such as hospitalization.

COMCARE of Sedgwick County
First Appointment – 316–660-7540
24-Hour Crisis Intervention Services – 316-660-7500

January 2012