Randy Griffith
rgriffith@tribdem.com
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The opening Monday of two short-term treatment mental- health programs in Richland Township are seen as much-needed alternatives that local advocates and caregivers have been seeking.
“These are the pieces that were missing,” said Cynthia McLaughlin, chief executive officer for Behavioral Health of Cambria County.
Her agency provided startup funding for Footsteps Psychological Services to introduce the Crisis Diversion Acute Stabilization and Acute Partial Hospitalization programs at 114 and 118 Carwyn Drive in part of the former Richland Inn complex.
“It is our responsibility that the needs are being met for the county,” McLaughlin said.
The programs offer short-term intervention that can help stabilize mental-health patients in crisis and allow them to return home, Footsteps psychologist Tammy Haslett said.
Prior to the introduction of these programs, there were few options for patients who did not meet the criteria for inpatient hospitalization in a facility such as Memorial Medical Center’s behavioral health unit. Most outpatient facilities are closed on weekends and may only see an individual a couple of times a month, Haslett said.
“It is a big jump between outpatient and inpatient care,” Haslett said.
“This program will be a piece in between.”
The Crisis Diversion Acute Stabilization Program is licensed for 10 beds, and each patient has a private room. Psychiatric evaluation, medication management and nursing care will be provided. Peer support will be offered through mentors who have recovered from mental illness.
“It is like, ‘I’ve been there; done that. I can assist you,’ ” Footsteps interim program director Marion Kush said. “And to give a real-life example that recovery is possible.”
Patients stay from three to 15 days, and admission is voluntary, Kush said.
“These are not highly intensive criminals we are working with,” Haslett said.
“If they have a chargeable offense, they go to jail,” McLaughlin said.
It is the mental health patient who is having a personal crisis and acting out who needs the intervention program, Haslett said.
Relatives of mental health patients asked for this type of program, Haslett said.
“There are times when this family member would stop taking medication for whatever reason,” Haslett gave as an example.
“They start to decompensate. They can start to regress.
“We can get them with staff and quickly make sure the medication is correct. Then we can get them access to other formal or informal therapy, a caseworker and other assets so these problems won’t recur turn into bigger problems.”
Many of those “decompensating” find themselves in contact with law enforcement, said Wendy Stewart, executive director of the Cambria County Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and coordinator of Laurel Highlands Police Crisis Intervention Team.
“There has always been an issue with individuals needing help but not meeting the criteria for hospitalization,” Stewart said.
“There have been no alternatives, especially on the weekends. It can put somebody in a very difficult position.”
The stabilization program can help people avoid hospitalization or serve as a step-down facility for those being discharged from inpatient units, but who are not ready to be independent.
Its associated partial-hospitalization program is for those who don’t need 24/7 care, but need an acute short-term treatment. It can take up to 18 patients and operates six days a week, five hours a day.
The two facilities have a combined staff of 15 employees.
