Confidently Supporting A Client in Crisis: The Local Resource Model and Continuum of Care

In the world after COVID, clinicians must utilize scarce healthcare resources in a responsible way while meeting an increased demand for mental health services and increased client acuity. In this session, clinicians will learn to assess their clients for varying risk, such a suicide, homicide, or degenerating mental status with increased confidence. Attendees will understand the criteria for admitting clients to higher levels of care, including hospitalization, and step-down programs, such as partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatient services. And most importantly, this session will focus on local resources and systems specific to the Idaho infrastructure, and will equip clinicians to feel more confident about understanding what to look for and how to care for their client in crisis by accessing the proper local resources and limiting Emergency Room use when possible.

Learning Objectives:

1. To properly asses and document patient acuity in a clinic or outpatient setting

2. To identify methods for efficient management of resources in transitioning clients safely to higher levels of care (i.e. inpatient care)

3. To identify alternatives to inpatient care, such as Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and how to know if your client is right for these services

1.5 NASW CEU’s at LSW, LMSW & LCSW level