YOUTH CRISIS
Mental Health Center of Dane County, Inc.

625 West Washington Ave, Madison WI, 53703
Phone (608) 280-2610; Fax (608) 280-2704
Clinal Team Manager, Kristen Esbensen, MSSW, LCSW

 

The Youth Crisis Program provides emergency mental health services to children and youth in Dane County.

MISSION

The program's mission is to help children and youth develop more positive conflict resolution skills, while also trying to reduce the number of school suspensions, out-of-home or institutional placements, and hospitalizations. Youth Crisis also provides support to caregivers and professionals working with children and youth in crisis situations.

The Youth Crisis program encompasses two distinct programs: Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Oversight.

CRISIS INTERVENTION
This team provides supportive services to children/youth and their caregivers, by responding to crisis situations, conducting risk assessments, assisting families with problem-solving and safety planning, and screening and monitoring psychiatric hospitalizations. The goal of these interventions is to reduce out-of-home placements and divert hospital admissions when appropriate, by helping children and youth and their caregivers develop effective conflict resolution skills.

STABILIZATION OVERSIGHT
The Crisis Stabilization Initiative is a joint venture among the contracted Dane County group homes, the Department of Human Services and the Mental Health Center of Dane County, Inc. The child and family specialist in this program meets weekly with each of the group homes to provide clinical consultation pertaining to mental health issues. This position links staff, youth and families to appropriate ongoing mental health services. Psychiatric consultation is provided by the MHCDC Medical Director for the agency's child, youth, family services. Each group home resident has a crisis plan on file that delineates responsibility in a mental health crisis. The Crisis Intervention team provides emergency back up support to the group homes as necessary.

Stabilization Oversight Forms

Youth Crisis is a voluntary service. Parents/legal guardian's written permission is required for a child/youth to receive services. A parent/legal guardian no longer desiring to have their child participate in the program can terminate involvement by writing the Youth Crisis Program and requesting his/her child's name be removed from the central registration list.

Hours – Youth Crisis Services:
Mon & Wed, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tues, Thurs, Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Psychiatric services are available by appointment.