Mental Health Crisis Response Workforce Training and Development Initiative
In 2021, the efforts of the Center for Evidence to Practice expanded to include the Louisiana Mental Health Crisis Response Workforce Training and Development initiative. The Center, through its partnership with OBH, coordinates and delivers training to crisis providers who implement and render services under the Louisiana Crisis Response System (LA-CRS). The mission of this system is to execute a modern, innovative, and coordinated statewide crisis system. The LA-CRS builds upon the existing needs, strengths and resources of Louisiana’s Medicaid-serviced individuals and communities while providing rapid, coordinated care and reducing the barriers community members face when trying to access services during a mental health crisis. This system includes mobile crisis response, community brief crisis support, behavioral health crisis centers, and crisis stabilization providers for adults and mobile crisis response and community brief crisis support for youths.
The LA-CRS utilizes person-centered approaches built on recovery and resilience; provides access to a continuum of services; and aims to divert from institutional levels of care. The system currently serves adults 21 years or older and youths under age 21 insured by Medicaid. For more information, check out the LDH-OBH website here.
Find out more about the Mental Health Crisis Response Workforce Training Program
Workforce Training and Development
The Center manages the LA-CRS Request for Applications to identify qualified agencies who demonstrate readiness in providing services. The Center provides training that applies a modern, innovative workforce approach that focuses on skills and follow-up support. Center staff, national and regional experts, and peers from the Louisiana Peer Advocacy and Action Coalition (LaPAAC) developed a training curriculum, and training is implemented via asynchronous and synchronous training modules. The Center uses its online platform, E2PLearn, to deliver the asynchronous training, training materials and resources and training post-tests.
Services Rendered by the Louisiana Crisis Response System:
The Crisis System of Care services includes:
- Mobile Crisis Response (MCR)*
- Behavioral Health Crisis Centers (BHCC)**
- Community Brief Crisis Support (CBCS)*
- Crisis Stabilization (CS)
For current service providers by region and service rendered, please see the LDH-OBH website here.
*Available to youth under the age of 21.
**Available to adults 18+.
*Note: The Center will not be providing these services but will be working with behavioral health care providers across all regions of Louisiana to get them trained in providing care for individuals experiencing crisis.
Individuals in Louisiana can access the LA-CRS 24/7 two primary ways. Services can be initiated by calling 988, or the Louisiana Crisis Hub at 855-24CARE5 (855-242-2735).