Spotlight

Individuals experiencing acute behavioral crises often end up in the emergency room (ER). However, ERs do not always provide the care needed in these scenarios, with some ERs lacking staff with behavioral health crisis experience and/or requiring individuals in crisis to wait hours for care. Additionally, the ER may be an over-stimulating environment for individuals in crisis, which can escalate feelings of crisis. One promising solution to these issues is the Living Room model, a community crisis respite center offering individuals in crisis an alternative to the ER.

Living Rooms incorporate many principles of recovery into the traditional crisis model such as autonomy, respect, hope, empowerment and social inclusion. Living Room crisis centers are open, inviting spaces, reminiscent of their name—living rooms—with clients referred to as guests to avoid clinical overtones. These centers serve individuals 18 and older experiencing any acute mental health challenge or crisis that would warrant a trip to the ER. Guests coming to Living Rooms can self-refer or be referred by police, fire or emergency departments. Services are typically free for guests, with reimbursement secured through Medicaid and/or a state agency. For example, Illinois has a variety of living rooms across the state, with the Department of Mental Health reimbursing costs for center guests with no insurance.

Living Rooms are staffed with peer counselors who de-escalate crises, establish safety plans, teach coping skills and can generally relate to the individual experiencing a crisis through their own lived experience. Unlike the ER, guests are never held involuntarily in Living Rooms. The Living Room model may not be appropriate for all crises—such as overdose or suicide attempts, which require ER expertise, or at odd hours, as these centers are typically not open 24 hours a day. However, Living Rooms offer a promising crisis alternative, allowing individuals in crisis more options for care and services and reducing trips to the ER.

New From the NCJA Center for Justice Planning

The NCJP is excited to release two new strategic planning resources! Learn what it means to set a scope in strategic planning and read through a guided description for crafting a scope statement. Then, discover how to leverage a SWOT analysis with your board as a level setting technique before diving into the strategic planning process. Both resources provide an overview as well as guided instructions for undergoing the relevant activities with your public safety planning boards.

Many State Administering Agencies (SAAs) are still navigating their Byrne SCIP advisory boards and are working toward determining areas of need for the funds. View the updated Byrne SCIP subaward summary document, which outlines BJA-approved subawards as of September 11, for funding ideas!

In Case You Missed It

Check out episode 37 of the NCJA Podcast to learn about Untapped Solutions, an innovative reentry platform that connects nonprofits, employers and job seekers. 

Staff Recommends

Iyana recommends exploring Reentry 2030, a national initiative aimed at reforming the reentry process for individuals transitioning from prison and those under supervision across the U.S.

Jessica recommends reading this article, which describes a multidisciplinary approach to policing founded on counseling psychology, which helps officers build meaningful, individual relationships with stakeholders. For more information, listen to the NCJA Podcast episode.

Social Media For SAAs

Struggling to fill your social media feeds with content? Consider posting about the following items:

Bring attention to domestic violence awareness month in October.

Post about crime prevention month in October.

Observe America’s Safe Schools Week October 16-20.