Expanding Mobile Crisis was a strategy identified by partners as an action, that when combined with other actions in our community, that has a reasonable chance of making a difference in mental health in our community. This is an ongoing program in our community. New interventions are needed to ensure more community organizations and members are aware of how to utilize this service.

The priority population/customers for this strategy are community members and organizations in Polk County, and the strategy aims to make a difference at the individual and organizational level. Implementation will take place in the community. 

Mobile Crisis services provide intensive, on-site response, stabilization and intervention for people who may be experiencing a crisis. This service is available 24/7/365. More details on this program can be found at https://rhahealthservices.org/mobile-crisis-management/.

The partners for this strategy include:

• Polk County Mental Health Advisory Community Committee - Lead
• RHA - Lead
• Polk County Health and Wellness Coalition - Support

Mobile Crisis Program is a vital resource for our community, providing immediate and on-site mental health support to individuals experiencing a crisis. The team includes licensed mental health professionals, who work closely with law enforcement and emergency medical services to provide support and stabilization for individuals in crisis. While services are still being offered via this program, there have been challenges with staff turnover.  Our partners are exploring innovative approaches to continue meeting the needs of the community. This includes exploring the option of virtual mobile crisis to assist clients quickly when a crisis arises. This project is in the beginning stages, but updates will be added as more information is available.

In 2023, despite ongoing efforts, the Mobile Crisis Program faced persistent challenges, primarily stemming from staff turnover, which affected its effectiveness. Despite these obstacles, partners continued their commitment to serving the community by exploring innovative solutions. One notable initiative was the initiation of the Telehealth Pilot Program, in collaboration with Polk HHSA, RHA, and Vaya. This program deployed iPads to staff for mobile crisis interactions in the field, aiming to enhance responsiveness and support for individuals in crisis situations. Additionally, organizations collaborated with RHA to distribute materials to clients, facilitating awareness and access to services. However, the program still grappled with long wait times, a lingering issue exacerbated by staffing shortages. Efforts persisted to address these challenges and improve the program's efficiency and effectiveness in meeting the community's mental health needs.