Mobile Response Team
Hope in Crisis
At St. Augustine Youth Services, our Mobile Response Team (MRT) is dedicated to providing immediate help to youth experiencing a mental health crisis. Available 24/7, our team provides free on-site assessments, ensuring that help is always within reach when your child needs it the most.
Recognizing The Signs
Understanding when your child is in crisis can be challenging. Here are some signs that your child might need help:
Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or personality
Your child is not communicating or you're finding it hard to reach them
Expressions of extreme distress or hopelessness
Thoughts or mentions of self-harm or suicide
They seem unusually isolated or withdrawn
They're afraid they might hurt themselves or others
If your child is showing any of these signs, it's time to reach out for help. Our Mobile Response Team is here to provide immediate support.
How We Serve
Upon receiving a call, a clinician arrives on site within 60 minutes to assess safety and make treatment recommendations. Within 24 hours, a case manager and a peer specialist follow up to help navigate through the crisis and provide support. We work in collaboration with you, area mental health providers, law enforcement, and school personnel to develop safety plans and link your family to needed services. A therapist is available to provide therapy to bridge the barrier of wait lists or insurance issues.
Our Commitment to Youth in Crisis
In 2015, we launched the Mobile Response Team (MRT) in response to a growing need in St. Johns County. Our mission was clear: to reduce the alarming increase of involuntary children hospitalizations (Baker Acts) in our community.
As of February 2023, our dedicated team has conducted more than 2,700 safety assessments, successfully diverting over 80% of youth in crisis from costly hospitalization. We're here for our youth, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing immediate support and long-term solutions.
Our Impact by the Numbers
2,700+ Assessments: Our MRT has been a beacon of hope for over 2,700 youth in St. Johns County, providing comprehensive assessments and wraparound services that prioritize their well-being.
24/7 Operating Hours: Since January 2019, our MRT services have been available around the clock, ensuring that help is always within reach for youth in crisis in St. Johns County.
82%+ Diverted Baker Acts: More than 80% of the crisis calls our team responded to did not result in a traumatic and costly Baker Act.
$8,700,000+ Savings: With hospital stays averaging $3,900, our MRT assessments saved our community over $8,700,000.
Our Team:
Our MRT consists of licensed mental health counselors and certified targeted case managers, all fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our youth. We're proud to be one of the only teams in the state to have all fully licensed counselors.
Join Us in Making a Difference
If you're concerned about a youth experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis, call 9-8-8 or 9-1-1 to request an MRT assessment.
Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our youth.
TO REQUEST
A MRT ASSESSMENT
PLEASE CALL
9-8-8 or 9-1-1
Serving:
Boys, girls, LGBTQ-Identifying
Ages 5-25
Anywhere in St. Johns County
Youth experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis
How:
Within 60 minutes of receiving a call, a Clinician will arrive on site to assess for safety and make treatment recommendations.
Within 24-hours, a case manager and a peer specialist will follow up to help navigate through the crisis and provide support.
The team works in collaboration with:
The Child’s Family
Area Mental Health Providers
Law Enforcement
School Personnel
Working together, they develop safety plans and link families to needed service.
A therapist is available to provide therapy to bridge the barrier of wait lists or insurance issues.
Benefits:
Our team's quick response rate ensures the immediate safety of the youth in crisis
Every year, our team diverts over 80% of calls from involuntary hospitalization (Baker Acts)
Timely and effective follow-up ensures that our help is not just one and done - we work with the youth and family to find long-term solutions.
Our team offers parent resources through support groups in order to support the family through the crisis and guide them through services.
2,700+
ASSESSMENTS
Our MRT has responded to and provided assessments & wraparound services for 2,700+ youth in St. Johns County.
24/7
OPERATING HOURS
As of January 2019, MRT
services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in St. Johns County.
82%+
DIVERTED BAKER ACTS
More than 80% of the crisis calls our team responded to did not result in a traumatic and costly Baker Act.
$8,700,000+
SAVINGS
With hospital stays averaging $3,900. Our MRT assessments saved our community over $8,700,000.
“The SJCSD and our families are truly blessed to have access to the MRT and we hope this partnership will continue for many more years to come.”