St. Lucie County Services

Case Management is a coordination service offered to adults and children who are mentally ill and need help accessing services.

 

Case Managers:

Community Advocacy Team (CAT) is an innovative, intensive case management team that provides a wide range of on-site therapeutic interventions and support.  Services are provided to adults with chronic mental disabilities.  When men and women join the program they are usually non-compliant to service, severely lacking in adequate social and coping skills, and are at high risk for re-hospitalization.

 

The program’s goal is to assist the men and women in finding supportive housing; to maintain quality of life; establish linkages with agencies not otherwise available to them; educate families and significant others for enhanced understanding of mental illness; anticipate and prevent mental and physical deterioration of the individual served and reduce the need for re-hospitalization. 

 

Crisis Stabilization Unit is a 30 bed unit that provides emergency and acute care services for adults experiencing a mental health crisis.  The Unit’s primary function is the evaluation, diagnosis and stabilization of mental illness symptoms. This is accomplished by providing a protective environment, medication, counseling and discharge planning with the client’s family and social support system. 

Services are available to all adult residents of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties. Clients are accepted in compliance with State of Florida and Department of Children and Families’ regulations.

 

Detoxification Unit (Detox) is a 20 bed unit. Services are available to all adult residents of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties. The Detox Unit is a medical, non-hospital service for adults who are acutely disabled from substance abuse.  The Detox Unit provides necessary medication to prevent withdrawal symptoms.  It also provides medical and psychosocial evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment to establish motivation for continued sobriety. 

 

Domestic Violence Youth Diversion Program is funded through a contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice. The program is designed to help divert children (ages 10-16) from the juvenile justice system  First offenders involved in the program are provided counseling to change their behavior.  Services include in-home counseling, youth and family groups and individual sessions.  Referrals are made through the State Attorney’s office.

 

Emergency Screening Center is available for children and adults who are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. The Center is available for residents of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties

 

Services include diagnostic evaluations for mental illness, serious emotional disturbances, and chemical dependency. If a more extensive evaluation is required, individuals may be admitted to the Crisis Stabilization Unit or Detoxification Unit either voluntarily or by legal order.  Referrals to other services are made when necessary.

 

Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) provides intensive community-based treatment and support services for adults living with severe and persistent mental illness.  The program serves men and women residing in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties. Individuals are referred to FACT by case managers and other mental health providers. 

 

FACT is an evidence based program that provides in-home services for our clients. The program operates as a self-contained clinical team. Primary goals are to lessen or eliminate debilitating symptoms of mental illness, meet basic needs, promote recovery, and enhance the client's quality of life.

 

Family Intervention Services is a program that provides community-based substance abuse and mental health case management for parents. Parents who have been identified as having a possible substance abuse problem, that may be contributing to abuse/neglect of their children, are referred by Family Safety Staff from DCF.  Program services include comprehensive behavioral assessments, psychiatric evaluations and removing barriers to treatment.

 

Mobile Crisis Response Team provides immediate on-site assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, linkage and referral for people who are experiencing crisis.  Services are accessed by referral from law enforcement officials, emergency room staff, or school officials.  Services also include follow-up as needed to promote crisis resolution, evaluation and arrangement for inpatient hospitalization if necessary.

 

Mobile Crisis services are provided by trained mental health professionals in an effort to provide safe alternatives to involuntary admissions to a treatment facility.

 

Mobile Family Services Team provides prevention/intervention services to families who are at imminent risk of having their children removed from the home due to abuse or neglect.   Families are referred to the team by DCF Protective Investigators and participation is voluntary or may be court ordered. 

 

The Team provides intensive on-site counseling and immediate assistance to help resolve problems the families are facing.  Counselors work with the families for up to 60 days to help stabilize the family and connect them to available community services.

 

The major goal of the Team is to keep the children in their home with their family; and provide services that encourage and support the prevention of child abuse or neglect. 

 

Outpatient Counseling Services provide mental health services for adults and children. Clients may be referred by family, a community agency, the courts, or may be self-referred.  Comprehensive social, psychological and psychiatric evaluations are provided.  Based upon the evaluation and diagnosis, the appropriate treatment will be provided.

 

Short-Term Residential Treatment is a 20 bed adult rehabilitation program that provides intensive psychosocial services to men and women with severe mental illness.  The average length of stay is 30-90 days.  The goal of this comprehensive program is to re-integrate the client into the community or secure placement in a less restrictive program. Clients are referred to this program from a variety of mental health providers. 

 

Strengthening Families is a family skills training program that serves families in St. Lucie County with children ages 5 to 14.  The program provides a 14 week curriculum that addresses family management issues and early and persistent anti-social behavior. Families attend classes and learn parenting skills, children’s skills and family life skills.

 

The program outcomes have shown significant improvement in several areas.  Parents are less likely to mistreat their children. Children show reduced problem behaviors, delinquency and alcohol and drug abuse.  Children have also exhibited improved social behavior and school performance.  This collaborative program is funded by Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County. 

 

Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a substance abuse prevention program that provides a range of services for selected elementary and middle school students. The program operates during regular school hours and after school.

 

Services include classes aimed at educating youth on the dangers of substance abuse and developing skills to prevent future use.  Through individual or small group counseling, children also learn to develop greater self-esteem and coping skills.

 

The program is funded through a contract with Children’s Services Council.  The program is available with no charge for students and their families.  A limited summer program is also available.

 

Supported Employment is a supportive employment program for adults living with a mental illness.  The program is available to residents of Martin and St. Lucie Counties who have been referred to the program. The program includes a pre-employment assessment, job development and training.

 

Supported Living Services for adults living with a mental illness.  It is available for men and women in Martin or St. Lucie Counties who have been referred to the program.

Behavioral Health Technicians work with clients to help them learn new skills that are necessary in their daily life. Life Skills teaching includes hands-on meal preparation, taking public transportation, budgeting, shopping and social skills.  Supportive Living Services helps individuals maximize their abilities.

 

Therapeutic Behavioral On-Site Services (TBOS) is designed as an intensive intervention program to assist children who are experiencing severe emotional problems.  The program is offered in the child’s home and in the child’s school setting and includes input from parents, teachers and school officials. 

 

This program provides therapeutic services such as teaching problem solving skills, anger management skills and other treatment methods as needed.  These services are designed to maximize the child’s strengths and reduce behavior problems in school and at home.