SECURE CRISIS Inpatient CENTER
How are teenagers admitted to
the Secure Crisis Inpatient Center?
Youth are admitted to the Secure Crisis
Inpatient Center ONLY by law enforcement personnel under the following
circumstances:
Runaway Youth:
The teenager is apprehended by police
AND
no criminal charges or warrants are in effect
BUT
A runaway report has been filed
AND
The law enforcement officer has been unsuccessful at returning the
teenager to home, either because the parent(s) or guardian(s) are
not available, or are unwilling to receive the teen.
AND
The teen is deemed to be at high risk to run away from a less secure
setting.
Dangerous Situation:
The teenager is apprehended by the police
AND
no criminal charges or warrants are in effect
BUT
the teenager is in a dangerous situation
AND
the parent(s) or guardian(s) are unavailable or unwilling to receive
the teen
AND
The teen is deemed to be at high risk to run away from a less secure
setting.
What if a teen or the parent wants the teen to be admitted?
If the teen and parents are willing participants, contact the Regional
Crisis Inpatient Center at 509-624-2868 - Teens may be admitted
to this center as a safe place away from crises at home, and a place
to initiate or work on family reconciliation. This is a non-secure,
voluntary program.
If the parent wants the admission,
but the teen is unwilling:
- Call the regional Crisis Inpatient Center or Family Reconciliation
Services for assistance.
- If the teen has run away from home, and a run report has been
filed, call the city police or county sheriff and ask for assistance.
What is the "Becca Bill"?
The Runaway Youth Act, (commonly known as the Becca Bill), made
changes to a number of existing laws and regulations to allow parents,
teens, and law enforcement personnel to respond to a teen who is
in danger, or who has run away from home, or whose behavior is causing
serious problems. Several provisions of this legislation include:
- Establishment of Secure Crisis Inpatient
Centers
- Children In Need of Services (CHINS) petition. in these petitions,
a teenager requests services, including chemical dependency or mental
health treatment, or out-of-home placement.
- At Risk Youth (ARY) peition. In these petitions, a parent or guardian
requests services for a teenager whose behavior is causing serious
problems for the youth and family. Services may include mental health,
chemical dependency or out of home placements.
All CHINS or ARY petitions must be filed
with DSHS and the local Juvenile Court. DSHS will provide Family
Reconciliation Services to assess and devise a plan for the teen
and the family. The Juvenile Court will hear the petition and oversee
the caarrying out of the services that are recommended.
For more information you
may call:
Family Reconcilation Services - 509-363-3350
Spokane County Juvenile
Court - Team Child - 509-323-1166
Regional Crisis Inpatient Center - 509-624-2868
