News & Press
River Edge receives first admission in GCRS!
River Edge Behavioral Health Center serves first admission into New Georgia Crisis System
Milledgeville, Georgia — June 1, 2011, people with intellectual disabilities living in DBHDD Region 2 (from Macon to Augusta to Swainsboro) have an option instead of a state hospital when experiencing serious behavioral crisis. River Edge Behavioral Health Center, along with their partners Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services and Advantage Behavioral Health System were the first in Georgia to begin the full complement of new services – mobile crisis, in home supports or crisis support home – funded as part of the Settlement Agreement of US v. Georgia.
On Wednesday, June 1st at 9:50 pm, members from Georgia’s inaugural crisis team received the first call to the new service for a client located at the Screven County Hospital Emergency Room in Sylvania, Georgia. A 6’4 tall, 300-pound male with moderate mental retardation had a behavioral outburst and been brought to the emergency room. Working through the night, the Mobile Crisis team along with our partner, Ogeechee Behavioral Health Center, worked to arrange appropriate supports for the individual.
‘It’s a new day for persons with developmental disabilities in Georgia. Last year, this individual was hospitalized at a state hospital after a similar episode. The Settlement Agreement has made available new and more appropriate options.” Shannon Harvey, Chief Executive Officer of River Edge Behavioral Health Center said. “Last night, we continued the River Edge tradition of ‘We Make Life Better’™.
In ten hours following the first call, the responsive and innovative River Edge partnership responded, transported, arranged supports and assessments (including a new psychological) that suggest the crisis causes were physical illness and environmental factors. The Baldwin Crisis Support Home is currently supporting this individual as a new plan of support toward his community success is put in place. Crisis Support Homes are designed to provide brief, additional, and professional supports for up to 4 persons with intellectual disability who experience temporary life disruption. The home provides the home-like environment for the residents in crisis while addressing their individual needs for treatment and support.
River Edge Behavioral Health Center has served Central Georgia since 1950 providing nationally recognized and evidence-based treatment and support services that deliver hope and help for children, youth and adults with behavioral health issues or developmental disabilities. Nationally accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, River Edge served more than 15, 000 Georgians last year.
###
For more information about the Georgia Crisis Response System or River Edge Behavioral Health Center, contact Tiffany M. Russell, Community Affairs Manager at (478)803-7752 office, (478) 955-4752 cell, or by email: trussell@river-edge.org.