The following are representative of respondents ’ consensus observations .
• “ Case managers need fewer people to care for , and more understanding of the time it takes to develop [ relationships ].”
• “ First appointment for most people is a month away – this is a challenge .”
• “ There ’ s a lack of capacity , especially for children . There is a pronounced lack of services for kids and a long wait time , sometimes 6-8 weeks .”
• “ Treatment centers are very costly even for middle to upper class income [ levels ].”
• “ People can wait 3-6 months for a follow-up appointment after a Baker Act .”
• “ Not enough substance abuse programs or rehab . A lot of faith-based programs , but whole spectrum of treatment isn ' t necessarily offered .”
• “ When it comes to regular counseling , it ' s once a month . People need it once a week .”
Examples of Potential Interventions for Stage 3
• Decentralize counseling services across Polk County , rather than focusing services in Lakeland . Outlying , more rural areas feel a need for more mental health and substance use disorder counselors , outreach services to high-risk seniors ( e . g ., for social isolation , suicide prevention , and medication management ), psychiatrists ( especially child psychiatrists ), Medication Assisted Treatment ( MAT ) programs , Recovery Resource Centers including residential care with embedded counseling support , and Peer Support Specialists ( also noted below ).
Crisis Intervention Training Benefits
• Provides first responders with enhanced skill sets tools to safely and effectively manage high-risk situations .
• Diversion instead of arrest of people exhibiting behavioral health issues .
• Greater insight among first responders toward people exhibiting behavioral health high-risk behaviors .
• Decreases first responder and community member injuries while responding to behavioral health crisis calls .
• Increased likelihood that people with behavioral health issues will receive services that help address urgent challenges and / or redirect the long-term trajectory of the individual ’ s behavioral health .
• Increase the number of certified community health workers by partnering with training sites such as Peace River , Tri-County Human Services , Southeastern University , and others .
• Expand Crisis Intervention Training ( CIT ) to a wider range of first responders and care providers .
• Improve centralized care coordination efforts across the county .
• Greatly expand mobile crisis care service capacity , including first responder support , domestic violence and threat response , schoolbased interventions , and others . Expand other mobile care service capacity counseling services , suicide prevention , social isolation , screening , school-based services , and others .
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