Mental Health Clinicians Ready 24/7 to Support Youth in Crisis During Intake Process

Supporting the mental health needs of children and teens while they await safe placement, Franklin County Children Services partners with the National Youth Advocacy Program (NYAP) to have trained mental health clinicians on stand-by 24 hours a day to de-escalate youth behavioral crisis, complete pre-placement assessments, and engage youth experiencing the trauma of removal.

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Every thirty minutes, clinicians like Misty Coleman and Mercedes Harris make their rounds at Children Services’ Intake and Assessment Center to connect with youth who have come into the building. They’ll talk with each one, asking about their needs: a shower, something to play with, maybe a snack, or just someone to listen.

“We work hard to start building rapport and trust,” said Ms. Harris, a Clinical Supervisor. 

“And we use music, TV, puzzles, and games to engage them,” added Ms. Coleman, the Program Manager of Emergency Stabilization Care.

They are part of a team of dedicated mental health clinicians from the National Youth Advocate Program who work in partnership with FCCS staff 365 days a year to help youth feel safe and comfortable.

Some of the youth may have come to the agency on their own, while others may have been dropped off by the police or a stressed parent. Whatever the case is, the clinicians are tasked with trying to get the youth to tell their own stories, all while keeping the intake environment calm and safe for youth and families dealing with difficult circumstances. 

Once a connection is made, the clinicians try to learn what’s going on

“We can listen to them without having preconceived notions,” said Ms. Coleman. “They have a clean slate with us, which can help them open up.” Then they figure out what the youth needs to feel safe right now. 

Ms. Harris added that it’s helpful to let the youth know how cases are handled and what they can expect to happen when they leave. The clinicians also ask questions from a diagnostic assessment to learn what additional mental health services are needed.

“When youth come in, our staff work with them until they leave the building,” explained Ms. Coleman. “If a child comes in and is experiencing a crisis, they work to stabilize them.” 

It’s easier to connect with young children by playing with them, she said, but it can be hard to reach teens. “Sometimes, taking them for a walk can help. Being outside is good.”

FCCS Screening Supervisor Krystal West appreciates the partnership. “It’s been really helpful to have them here. While we’re looking for placements, we know that someone is checking on the kids and interacting with them, which keeps them calm and the lobby calm.” 

“Kids in crisis who don’t feel emotionally safe are more likely to act out and react negatively,” Ms. West added. She recognizes that the presence of mental health experts who understand trauma also helps to give youth a sense of emotional safety, which benefits everyone. 

Ms. Coleman agreed: “If a child is acting out, it can trigger the other children in the lobby.”

While these mental health clinicians build a rapport with youth, they know that their relationship will be short-term. 

“We want (the children) to know that while we love working with them,” Ms.  Harris said, “we want them to be successful once they leave and are in homes and be connected with people who can help them long term.”

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