Short-term Respite Care for Youth in Crisis Request for Applications
Children and youth who are experiencing a mental health crisis are often unable to find care. Unless they are a danger to themselves or others, they are not assigned to an open bed that may be needed for “critical care” patients. The shortage of beds for those who need intensive care leaves many youths waiting in the emergency department for hours or winding up in jail.
Ramsey County received funding from the State of Minnesota to establish a pilot project to address emergency mental health needs for youth who are experiencing a mental health crisis. One of the services that will be offered is short term respite care for youth in crisis. This service is particularly needed for youths of color Ramsey County who are less likely to receive community based mental health services, and whose mental health visits to the emergency department are increasing when compared to White youth.
Ramsey County has a bold vision rooted in an ambitious strategic plan that includes the priorities of:
- Residents first: effective, efficient and accessible operations.
- Advancing racial and health equity and shared community power.
These two strategic priorities are guiding the county’s efforts to develop and provide effective, efficient and accessible mental health services that will reduce the disparities that exist for racially and ethnically diverse youth. The county will partner with providers/individuals in the community who are able to provide culturally specific or culturally responsive short term respite care.
The purposes of the respite care services are to:
- Provide the parent or caregiver a temporary break/relief from the care of the youth.
- Reduce family stress and improve youth and family functioning.
- Prevent out-of-home placement and promote family preservation.
The county is seeking applications from qualified providers of short-term, 24-hour respite care for youth experiencing a mental health crisis.
Eligibility
Respite providers will be required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Ability to accept referral contacts between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Ability to accept referral contacts 365 days a year.
- Ability to provide safe shelter and support to youth.
- Ability to accept youth experiencing mental and/or behavioral health crisis.
- Ability to not deny acceptance with the exceptions of youth in need of medical care requiring hospital admission and youth with treatment needs requiring inpatient care for sexually problematic behavior.
- Ability to provide culturally specific or culturally responsive care.
Program Expectations
Providers will be expected to care for youth(s) and their emotional, physical and overall health needs in a trauma-informed therapeutic environment. There are up to 14 youth in the program at any given time and providers must be able to provide transportation for emergency situations or other necessary appointments in coordination with Ramsey County clinical staff during regular business hours.
The setting should provide for all basic needs of the child, including nutritional, hygienic and educational (education would not take place at site, coordination may be required with clinical staff and school district). Medication should be monitored and distributed on-site. Ideally, there would be a staff ratio of one staff per two children at all times for supervision. Children experiencing extreme trauma or behaviors may require an increase to one-to-one staffing. Providers must ensure that their therapeutic and clinical teams provide onsite intervention sessions and coordination as necessary.
Finally, providers will be required to maintain licensure requirements and accurate record keeping and data for children, employees, and overall services in the program.
Communication Expectations
The County will communicate any potential referrals for intake between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. The County will verify vacancy and identify a transportation plan. Provider will notify the County and law enforcement in the event of a child absconding the home and collect the case number. Provider can expect from the County ongoing and regular contact while youth is in respite care with the provider. The County will conduct monthly meetings, virtual or in person, to support providers. Provider will maintain communication logs, provide to the County a discharge report within 72 hours of a child’s exit, and complete annual site reviews with Ramsey County.
Submission Process
The information collected will be used to identify providers who have the ability to and are interested in providing the requested services. Ramsey County, through the Social Services Department, may enter into contracts with eligible providers who complete the submission process, however submission of the form does not guarantee an offer of award. Contracts will be negotiated directly with providers who meet both the eligibility and service requirements of the program. The department’s goal is to have up to six providers in place to administer the program within the first quarter of 2024. If you have questions, please contact Codie Hillstead at [email protected].