Crisis Care

 

Crisis Care may be needed during times of family emergencies when it becomes difficult for you to care for your child, or during times of behavioral crisis. The Regional Offices are the main provider of crisis supports and crisis funding. Click here to learn more about mental health and autism services in Missouri.

Assistance in Managing Crisis Care

 

If your family experiences a crisis —behavioral, or other type — contact your service coordinator as soon as possible. If a crisis would arise after business hours, there should be a way to reach on-call personnel through your Regional Office's main number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In situations where there is threat of injury to the individual or others, call 911.

 

If you find that the behavioral or mental health needs of your loved one seem to be getting beyond what you can handle, you need to contact your Regional Office staff. You may want to explore services through the DMH Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services (CPS). There are also professionals at DMH that specialize in substance abuse, if needed. Ask your service coordinator for advice on which agency might be of help.

 

Making a Plan

 

Planning ahead is important for dealing with crises. Take these steps now so you are ready if needed:

• Enroll with your local Regional Office. Since it is difficult to predict whether you will need crisis supports, it is better to be prepared.
• Begin behavioral intervention early instead of waiting until crisis. Heading off small behaviors now can help to prevent larger behavioral crisis down the road. [This does not mean that crisis can always be prevented, as it can sometimes result from changes in medication or other uncontrollable situations.]
• Establish a relationship with a provider such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist, so someone knows your story and your loved one.
• Have a plan for how you will deal with crisis.
• Make a list of who you will call in case of emergency and their contact numbers.
• Know how to reach your service coordinator after hours.
• Build your supports—other family members, neighbors
• Talk with your providers about how to know when you need to get additional help and when to go to an emergency room

If you feel that your child is in crisis, first contact your regional office case manager for assistance. If you are experiencing a financial crisis, your case manager may be able to refer you to local resources. Click here for a list of financial crisis care resources.

Regional office case managers are more experienced in assisting families with emotional or behavioral crisis. Below you will find a list of the criteria for obtaining emergency services.

**If you are experiencing a crisis situation and you do not have a case manager through your regional office, contact them anyway. GET ENROLLED!

Other Resources

Contact a psychiatrist in your area for medical assistance. It can be difficult to find a psychiatrist that will accept Medicaid, therefore another possible avenue for help would be a Community Mental Health Center.

 

 

Hotlines

If you need someone to talk with any time of day or night, call the hotline number for your area. **Call 911 for crisis emergencies.**

 

 

Criteria for Emergency Services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities

A situation must meet one of the following criteria to be considered an emergency and eligible for the Division of DD to authorize new services:

 

• A situation in which the consumer is in immediate need of life-sustaining services and there is no alternative to Division funding or provision of those services. Life sustaining service is defined as a service to meet a basic human need such as food and shelter, or protection from harm.
• A situation in which a consumer must be provided immediate services in order to protect another person or persons from imminent physical harm.
• A court order to which the Division is obligated to respond.

 

Souce: Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services