Crisis Resolution Services at Downtown Mental Health Center

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The Crisis Resolution Services (CRS) program at Downtown Mental Health Center (DMHC) targets the community in which it is located, the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles. It was developed in October 2007 in response to the increasing homelessness, costly incarcerations and costly psychiatric hospitalization of residents in the area. It is a short term, outpatient based, intensive, clinical and case management program that provides crisis intervention and stabilization for new, returning and disengaged clients. Services include but are not limited to: emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, referral for medical and dental services, benefits establishment, intensive case management, psychiatric services and medication, short-term psychotherapy and crisis intervention. The program provides frequent client follow-up appointments with program staff and employs a comprehensive approach to addressing individual mental health, physical health care, housing, benefits establishment and other needs. Implemented in October 2007, the DMHC was the first of its kind in the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and successfully stabilizes the acute and chronic needs of clients such that they can successfully reengage with their community through wellness and recovery activities.