FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2020

Children's CARE Team Announced
Free Mobile Response and Stabilization Services Provided

New City, NY, - County Executive Ed Day and Department of Mental Health Acting Commissioner Susan Hoerter, D.O., announce the start of a new behavioral health service for Rockland's youth; the Children's Community Assistance, Response, and Engagement Team (Children's CARE Team).

The CARE Team follows the Mobile Response and Stabilization Service model whose primary goal is to stabilize behavior and keep the child at home. The service will be available starting December 15, 2020, for any individuals under the age of 21 experiencing non-life-threatening behavioral and/or emotional challenges. The service will be available from 12 pm - 8 pm 7 days a week, including holidays.

The CARE Team is mobile and consists of a behavioral health worker as well as a family peer advocate who can meet a family at home, school or elsewhere in the community. The team will work closely with a youth and their family to stabilize the situation, assist with follow-up and appropriate referrals and may stay involved with the family for up to eight weeks.

The CARE Team is an addition to Rockland's existing youth behavioral health crisis services and will complement the Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT), which serves people of all ages, assesses the need for hospitalization and includes medical staff. Both BHRT and the CARE Team are accessed by calling the BHRT phone number, 845-517-0400.

"This has been a difficult year for all of us but especially for children and young adults who have had to adapt to an all-new set of circumstances," said County Executive Ed Day. "I applaud the work of our Department of Mental in securing these services which will provide free mobile support for children and their families that are facing challenges. Rockland has long been ahead of the curve in tending to our resident's mental health, launching the BHRT in 2015, the new Care Team is a critical addition to the services available to residents."

The CARE Team service will be operated by Access: Supports for Living Inc., CEO & President Ronald Colavito said, "The need for community-based mental health support for children and families is greater than ever, and we commend County Executive Day and Department of Mental Health Acting Commissioner Susan Hoerter, D.O. for responding to this urgent community need. The team at Access has been helping families through crises, providing support and planning, for decades. We are excited to extend our work into Rockland County and provide assessment, education, crisis planning, and connection to care to the community's children and families."

The CARE Team will be funded through Rockland County's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant with no cost to local taxpayers or those utilizing the service.

[Descargar versión en español]

# # #

Follow us on Twitter: @rocklandgov
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/rocklandcountyny
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/rocklandgov
Visit our website: rocklandgov.com