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Crisis Assistance Now Available
Monday, September 17, 2007

The Family and Social Services Administration has announced the long-awaited Crisis Intervention system. This was made possible through the closure of our State Developmental Centers as well as Silvercrest. This service is open to children and adults, those in the service system and those who are not.

TO: All Consumers, Providers and Advocates
FROM: Peter Bisbecos, Director
DATE: September 17, 2007
RE: Crisis Assistance Services Implementation Announcement

Announcing the Implementation of
Indiana Crisis Assistance Services

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services is extremely pleased to announce the implementation of Indiana Crisis Assistance Services.

Crisis Assistance Services is a statewide comprehensive system that will provide specific supports in a timely and intensive manner for individuals with developmental disabilities experiencing extreme behavioral or psychiatric issues in which their health and welfare or the health and welfare of others is in serious jeopardy.

Crisis Assistance Services include:
• 24/7/365 Telephone Crisis Support
• In-Home Technical Assistance
• Out-of-Home Short Term Residential
• Follow-Along Post Crisis Intervention

DDRS has partnered with Meridian Services, a mental health services Provider and AWS (Anthony Wayne Services), a developmental disabilities services Provider, to provide Crisis Assistance Services. Meridian and AWS have worked together to establish collaborative partnerships with other developmental disabilities and mental health vendors to provide effective, timely, and appropriate services.

Crisis Assistance Services Areas
North BDDS Districts 1, 2 & 3 AWS 1-866-416-4774
Central BDDS Districts 5 & 6 Meridian 1-866-920-3272
South BDDS Districts 4, 7 & 8 AWS 1-866-416-4774

Crisis Assistance Services is one of several initiatives being implemented which will work in a coordinated manner to provide both preventative supports and reactive responses to grow the capacity of the community and assist in individual situations.

It is important to note that Indiana Crisis Assistance Services is not designed to be the provider of record, take the place of existing services, or to serve individuals who are not experiencing extreme behavior or psychiatric issues.

For additional information please contact Dortha Joyce at Dortha.Joyce@fssa.in.gov or

Randy Krieble at William.Krieble@fssa.in.gov.