• DCPN Handbook Updated

A revised copy of the DCPN Handbook is now available on the DCPN Webpage. Updates include:

- System meeting best practices (pg. 9)

- Documentation of initial contact and determination of need (p. 11)

- Preparing for and navigating DQA audits (p. 13)

- Use of alternative clinical supervision methods (p. 37)

Please be sure if your agency prints or downloads the handbook (vs. accessing it on the website) that you do this with the new version.

• Professional References to be Collected

Up to this point, programs have been asked when rostering a new crisis staff person to attest that they obtained two references or letters of recommendation. The Qualtrics form will soon be updated to require upload of two reference check documents as part of rostering.

If a reference is checked via phone, the person checking the reference should take notes, as well as document the date of the reference check and information about who provided the reference (name and relationship to the applicant).

• DCPN Office hours

Thank you to those who have attended the monthly office hours to ask questions about the Response Plan and/or Crisis Plan process. We will be sunsetting these office hours due to lack of questions in the recent months. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Journey at Crisis.response.plan@journeymhc.org or your Contract Manager.

There are several Youth Crisis services that are a part of the DCPN. Youth Connect will work with someone regardless of intensity or insurance, if a youth is unconnected and willing to connect they are a great referral source. The Youth Wellness Navigator, additionally works with unconnected youth who doesn’t need to necessarily be willing to engage in services to start. If a youth has support and perhaps needs a boost to get through the current crisis, Youth Crisis is a team to help support the existing team and youth. 

YOUTH CONNECT



Type of Service:

Crisis Linkage and Follow up

Hours of Operation:

7:45 am to 4:30 pm. Some evenings as needed

Eligibility and Access:

Need to be a Dane County Resident

Best way to contact staff:

youthconnect@danecounty.gov

608-896-0755

What the program does:

We are a voluntary, short-term program (approx. 6 months or less) that provides linkage and supportive services to youth and families following a mental health crisis. Services are driven by family-home, community, telehealth, etc with skill development, support, advocacy, referrals, discharge/transition planning 

Using the Wraparound model: services support each member and their family, to help stabilize and get connected to ongoing supports if desired.

Common Misconceptions:

While Youth Connect provides robust, wrap-around crisis case management, we are unable to provide mobile response, supervision, or respite services. 

Program contact:

Heidi Stringer

stringer.heidi@danecounty.gov

YOUTH CRISIS



Type of Service:

Crisis Stabilization

Hours of Operation:

8:00 am to 4:30pm, with ability to flex as needed

Eligibility and Access:

Will bill Medicaid for services if able

Best way to contact staff:

608-280-2624

What the program does:

Commitment monitoring, inpatient discharge planning, psychiatric prescribing, linkage and follow up. Ability to support youth with an existing provider but needing more crisis support. Additionally, supports youth who witness or are frequently around an adult who is experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Common Misconceptions:

People sometimes think that Journey Crisis is only for an Emergency Detention. Our Youth Crisis program supports youth and their family even when an Emergency Detention is not pursued, in the hopes that we can prevent an Emergency Detention and support the established team (if any) in managing the current crisis. 

Program contact:

Chris Chun-Seeley

chris.chun-seeley@journeymhc.org

YOUTH WELLNESS NAVIGATOR



Type of Service:

Crisis Stabilization

Hours of Operation:

8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with ability to flex as needed

Eligibility and Access:

will bill Medicaid if able, services grant funded

Best way to contact staff:

608-280-2624

What the program does:

Providing education/training to youth and families, providing support for youth in early intervention programs, ongoing training around youth suicide prevention, assist in aftercare planning. Works with youth who are unconnected and not willing to engaged with Youth Connect services. Additionally, supports youth who witness or are frequently around an adult who is experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 

Common Misconceptions:

As a crisis program, people may not be aware that we can help connect individuals to therapy. Because our Youth Wellness Navigator splits time between the Emergency Services Unit and Family Based Services Team, there are opportunities to connect families who have experienced a traumatic loss due to suicide to trauma-informed therapy.

Program contact:

Chris Chun-Seeley

chris.chun-seeley@journeymhc.org

Key terms:

• Initial contact: a crisis program’s first contact with an individual (or a 3^rd party making contact on their behalf) during a given episode of crisis. [Please note - if an individual receives crisis services, stabilizes, and then experiences another crisis and makes contact again this would be a new “initial contact”]
• Assessment: the process by which crisis staff gather and evaluate information to determine whether an individual is in crisis, and understand the nature and severity of the crisis
• Determination of need: the process by which crisis staff identify and document an individual’s need for crisis services

Whenever a program encounters an individual who may be in crisis, staff must gather information to assess the person’s need for services. If crisis services are indicated, the program must ensure there is documentation of this initial contact. Often, this will take the form of a first service note for that individual and episode of crisis. Such a note should clearly indicate that it is documenting the initial contact, assessment, and determination of need. 

If we think of a service note as being written in a “DAP” (Data-Assessment-Plan) format, the information gathered during an initial contact will make up the Data part of the note: 

The Assessment part of the note should articulate how the information was evaluated to reach a determination of need . In other words, why, based on the available information, staff believe the individual requires crisis services. As defined in DHS 34.02(5), a crisis is a “situation caused by an individual’s apparent mental disorder which results in a high level of stress or anxiety for an individual, persons providing care for the individual, and/or the public which cannot be resolved by the available coping methods of the individual or by the efforts of those providing ordinary care or support for the individual”. Specific factors that may indicate an individual has a need for crisis services are identified in ForwardHealth Topic #6759.

The “Plan” part of the note should articulate next steps, which should include any services to be immediately delivered, as well as creating a Response Plan and getting it approved (or providing updates to an existing plan) according to DCPN policy. 

Click the link below to go directly to the DCPN Handbook!