Crisis Services Available to Schools
This is a general description of the basic services offered by Maine
Crisis Service Providers. Each local agency organizes services
according to the needs of the communities they serve, so it is important
to contact them to discuss how schools and crisis services can work together.
Available Services:
- Telephone consultation - to help determine if an
assessment is indicated or what actions might be helpful.
- Telephone support and referral – to provide
guidance and referrals when risk is not present.
- Assessments - to determine if a student is
at risk of harm to self or others or what actions might be helpful.
- Stabilization - short-term, solution focused counseling
for up to 30 days as a result of crisis evaluation.
- Crisis Stabilization Residential Services – are
available short term.
How To Access Services:
- Call the local crisis services provider - phone numbers in local
phone books.
- Call the statewide crisis hotline 1-888-568-1112 -
24 hours/day, 365 days/year.
- Speak with a crisis worker or crisis supervisor for consultation
to determine if a face to face assessment is appropriate.
What To Expect:
- Crisis services will respond as immediately as possible.
- If the client is under 18, guardian(s) must be notified and agree
to an assessment. Crisis workers can begin an assessment process
and make a recommendation for needed services in an emergency situation
without legal guardian consent. Implementation of the clinician’s
recommendation does require consent.
- The crisis worker will do an assessment at the school, at the family’s
home, at the agency office, at the nearest hospital emergency department
or other suitable location. An assessment cannot be done in an unsafe
environment. If the individual is aggressive, hostile, or in possession
of lethal weapons, police assistance would be requested to assure the
safety of the individual and the worker.
- Student, parents and other informed individuals will be consulted
together and separately. Crisis workers cannot discuss an assessment
unless a Release of Information has been signed by the parent/guardian,
except in an emergency.
- Authorities (such as DHHS) may be notified if necessary.
- Referrals to other community support services such as case management,
outpatient therapy, medication management and residential services
will be made as appropriate.
- Crisis services are not designed to prescribe medications, advise
on medication management, respond to a purely disciplinary situation,
or evaluate the suitability of a student’s return to school.
Originally developed by Tri-County Mental Health Services & the
Department of Health & Human Services. Revised 3/06 by CHCS,
Mid-Coast Mental Health and Sweetser
