Youth Crisis Program

As a result of an identified need to expand youth crisis services in Franklin County, Netcare Corporation, Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University Medical Center have collaborated to form a Youth Crisis Services Team with special funding provided by the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board (ADAMH) of Franklin County.

This team, overseen by Netcare’s Director of Youth Crisis Services, addresses the mental health, alcohol and drug crisis needs of youth ages 0-18 and their families. This specialized team of clinicians will be actively involved in all youth related contacts via immediate consultation or referral for follow up. Youth clinicians on the team will conduct a standardized risk assessment and work to stabilize a youth at the least restrictive level of care. In addition, crisis management and linkage with ongoing mental health or substance abuse service providers will occur when needed. This program is committed to applying the best available current theory and research to the care of youth and families in crisis.

Accessing Services:

Netcare Access at 199 S. Central Avenue will be the point of entry and coordination for all youth deemed to be in a mental health and/or drug and alcohol crisis. The Children’s Hospital Emergency Room will serve as the point of entry for youth in need of medical treatment and mental health or drug and alcohol crisis intervention services.

What to Expect:

If appropriate, services offered will include:
• Crisis intervention/stabilization
• Standardized risk assessment
• Crisis-specific education and decision support for patients and families
• Family centered education about available local resources
• Referral and linkage with treatment providers
• Support until linkage
• Mobile intervention
• Emergency medication/somatic services
• Acute hospitalization

Goals of Program:

• Reliable and valid assessment of overall levels of risk
• Stabilize youth at the least restrictive level of care
• Reduce risk, dangerousness, and/or acuity of immediate crisis episode
• Instill hopefulness
• Reduce symptoms
• Referral and linkage to on-going services