FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2005

CONTACT: Jana Scoville
(404) 508-7875

DeKalb Community Service Board's Mobile Crisis Team Receives
Grant from Department of Health and Human Services

DECATUR, Georgia - The DeKalb Community Service Board's (CSB) Mobile Crisis Team received a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services for $148,000 on July 19, 2005. The Mobile Mental Health Services project grant will allow the Mobile Crisis Unit, which operates out of the DeKalb Regional Crisis Center, to increase its nursing staff hours in order to increase access and availability of this vital community intervention. The grant was secured by former Congresswoman Denise Majette, U.S. Senator Zell Miller and U.S. Senator Saxby Chambless through a fiscal year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

The Mobile Crisis Unit provides on-site crisis assessment and intervention services in the diverse DeKalb County community. Mental health clinical staff ride with a DeKalb County police officer in a specialized unit of the DeKalb County Police Services Bureau called the Crisis Intervention Unit designed to provide for health and safety and access to services. The Mobile Crisis Unit receives referrals from the DeKalb CSB's Central Access, police units, emergency medical services, and 911 operators in DeKalb County. Consumers, family members, or treatment providers may request intervention and assessment by the Mobile Crisis Unit.

"Our Mobile Crisis Services, which are targeted to crises in the community setting, provide a natural marriage between public safety and the mental health care system. Therefore these services allow more needs to be met and cared for at the DeKalb Regional Crisis Center and other community mental health resources," said Brenda Cibulas, R.N., M.N., C.S., Director, DeKalb Regional Crisis Center

Central Access, the DeKalb CSB's 24 hour, 7 day a week phone line for accessing services, has radio contact with the Mobile Crisis Unit to facilitate consultation and the exchange of information and referrals. If a consumer cannot be seen at the DeKalb Regional Crisis Center or another appropriate facility, the Mobile Crisis Unit can go to a residence or other location within DeKalb County to provide a community-based assessment. The clinician assesses the consumer to determine the level of care needed, provides support and information, and refers the consumer to the appropriate treatment.

To access behavioral health services, the DeKalb CSB has a single point of entry system called the Central Access line, 404-892-4646. Clinicians are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week for assessments, appointment scheduling, referrals and crisis calls.

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