Baltimore Crisis Response Incorporated

Services

Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. (BCRI) was established in 1992 with a mission to provide timely and effective community based mental health, crisis intervention services in the least restrictive environment possible. Initiated as a pilot project the organization has expanded over time developing new services to meet the needs of Baltimore City. The mission is achieved by providing a range of community based, intervention, treatment and support services. The range of services are as follows:

CRISIS HOTLINE: The telephone crisis “hotline” is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by trained counselors who have the ability to provide information and referral to the network of human services in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The counselors also provide supportive counseling, dispatch emergency assistance and link callers with more intensive BCRI services. In FY 2004 – 34,852 and FY 2005 – 30,257 calls were received on the Hotline.

MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS: Mobile crisis teams are comprised of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, social workers and nurses who can be dispatched to community locations to provide immediate assessment, intervention and treatment. Teams operate from 7:00am till midnight seven days per week. Currently the teams average over 2000 responses per year.

IN HOME SUPPORT: Persons experiencing a mental health crisis can often be maintained in the community through regular visits from the BCRI mobile crisis teams. An average of 350 people a year are cared for in this manner.

RESIDENTIAL CRISIS BEDS: Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. operates 18 psychiatric crisis beds. Crisis beds are not new to the Maryland, however, since its inception BCRI has operated with an average length of stay of 7 days compared with the historical statewide average of 16.5 days.

ADDICTIONS SERVICES: In response to the growing need for addictions treatment services BCRI has expanded and now provides a up to10-day residential detoxification program for chemically addicted, and dually diagnosed persons. There are currently 7 beds operated for this purpose.

CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE: BCRI also responds to incidents and events effecting groups of people and communities. In this regard teams work with groups attempting to cope with violent crime, sudden death (suicide) and disaster. BCRI is part of Baltimore City’s Domestic Preparedness response to terrorist attack.

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES: BCRI has established shared service agreements with all designated psychiatric emergency services and hospital based mental health centers in Baltimore City. In addition, there is a Memorandum of Understanding with the Baltimore City Police Department and informal cooperative working relationships with a number of human service agencies throughout the city.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING: BCRI provides public and professional education and training on a wide range of mental health related topics including: suicide prevention, crisis intervention, mental illness, and stigma. Training has also been provided to members of the Baltimore City Police Negotiation Team, over 3,000 patrol officers, Housing Police and Sheriff’s officers.

Through special grants and contracts, BCRI has provided training to Baltimore City Public School teachers and guidance counselors, clergy, 911 operators, shelter care staff and others. Public education is also provided via a cable television program called “Mental Health Matters”. This program provides practical information regarding mental health issues and community resources. BCRI has also offered professional training conferences, workshops and symposia.