934 N. Water, Wichita,
KS 67203
316-660-7525 – Administrative Office
316-660-7500 – 24-Hour Crisis Line
316-383-8040 (Fax) TTY 1-800-766-3777
Contact: Jason Scheck, LSCSW, Director
Crisis Intervention
Services
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 59,500 calls
were processed through the crisis lines in 2007. 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.
Short-term therapy is also available in situations where the presenting
problem can be resolved quickly. In the course of their work, the CIS staff
also provides outreach, public speaking, and trainings specific to crisis
intervention. 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.
The CIS Staff:
Crisis Intervention Services is staffed by 60 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
possessing a master’s degree or PhD in Social Work, Clinical Psychology or
Psychiatric Nursing, and are licensed with the Behavioral Sciences
Regulatory Board. 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 44
hours a week. 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 was identified in 1998 by the U.S. Surgeon General as a
serious national health concern. It is the 10th 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 Task Force 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
CIS crisis line 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. There is one Mobile Crisis
Unit team available per shift. MCU services may be accessed through the
Crisis Intervention Services emergency line (660-7500). The goal of MCU is
to provide assessment and crisis intervention services to individuals at
their home or other location when deemed appropriate for that level of
service.
Transition Team:
In August 2000, the crisis case management team known as the Transition
Team was implemented. The team focuses on short-term services (several days
up to three months in duration), with emphasis on intensive case management
for both adults and children. The Transition Team works with specific
situations where clients are in need of short-term crisis intervention and
follow-up. While the team focuses on these targeted cases, it also provides
support to the overall Crisis Intervention Services program as needed. The
Transition Team staff includes a Qualified Mental Health Professional who
supervises the team, a Diversion Specialist, and seven case managers.
Crisis Assessment Program for Seniors (CAPS):
This program is funded by mill levy funding through the Kansas Department on
Aging, and serves seniors 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. CAPS received national recognition in 2001 as an
honorable mention for innovative behavioral health care programming through
the Thomas Wernert award.
Medicaid Pre-Assessment:
The Crisis Intervention Services staff is responsible for screening adults,
children and adolescents who have or are eligible for Medicaid through SRS
and are being considered for admission to a local inpatient psychiatric
treatment facility. The pre-admission assessment is to determine the
appropriateness and need for inpatient services and to explore other
community alternatives if possible.
Pre-Admission
Assessment for State Hospital:
Crisis Intervention Services 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 local psychiatric services have been exhausted.
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.
Language Line Service:
The Language Line
Service is an invaluable tool when someone who does not speak English calls
the crisis line. When this is the case, the professional who takes the call
can dial an 800 number to the Language Line Service and they can help
determine the particular language and also provide an interpreter to see
that the caller gets assistance.
Crisis Case Management:
There are aspects of a
person’s life that sometimes need attention in addition to specific mental
health issues. The Crisis Case Manager can assist with locating and
arranging resources (including food, clothing, transportation and shelter)
within the community to address a variety of the client needs.
Crisis Brief Attendant Care (BAC):
This program allows
Crisis Intervention Services staff to involve employees within COMCARE to
provide crisis attendant care services after hours during a critical time
for COMARE clients. BAC involves a one-on-one interaction with a client
either in the home or elsewhere in the community to provide the necessary
support in order for the client to function without needing more intensive
services.
Crisis Plan:
CIS developed a crisis plan in 2001 as directed by the State of Kansas. The
plan involves input from the community and addressed twelve areas in which
services will be enhanced or extended. It also allows for ongoing
participation from the community in reviewing the plan through quarterly
Crisis Coalition meetings.
COMCARE
of Sedgwick County
Intake Assessments – 316-660-7540
24-Hour Crisis Intervention Services – 316-660-7500
01/08
©, Copyright, 2008 COMCARE of Sedgwick
County, Kansas
last update:
02/07/08
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