Pacific Clinics is pleased to announce its newest crisis offering, the Watsonville Community Hospital Program. In collaboration with Watsonville Community Hospital in Santa Cruz County, minors experiencing a mental health crisis who land in the emergency room will receive stabilization services including assessments, diagnoses, crisis intervention, safety planning and treatment recommendations.
Among those served will be children and teens through age 17 who are considered a danger to themselves or others and have been placed on an involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold, otherwise known as a Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I) 5585 designation. In addition, we will provide services to minors experiencing a mental health crisis who arrive at the emergency room voluntarily. In either scenario, services will be provided regardless of insurance status or their ability to pay.
The main goals of the program are to:
- Address the urgent nature of the behavioral health crisis;
- Restore the individual to an improved level of functioning;
- Provide treatment in the least restrictive setting; and
- Work with community agencies, other mental health programs and providers, and the minor’s family/support system to continually improve functioning and ensure they are discharged to the appropriate level of care.
“We are excited to provide specialized expertise for children and teens to effectively respond to a mental health crisis,” said Associate Clinical Director Laura Plottier-Ramirez. “Beyond just treating clients individually, we work with their families to make a positive and lasting impact in a safe, supportive and child-friendly environment.”
The Watsonville Community Hospital Program will also provide:
- Referrals to Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health outpatient services, contracted community-based services, community-based treatment programs and/or linkage to physical health care as needed;
- Support with coordinating admission to a higher level of care when necessary; and
- Comprehensive evaluations, including mental status exams, crisis assessment and aftercare planning.
For more information, contact Clinical Program Manager Janet Flores Muniz at 408-332-6722.
