Adult Crisis Stabilization Services

Program Description:
The Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) is a public Baker Act receiving facility providing services for individuals showing acute mental health disorders. To "Baker Act" is a means of providing individuals with emergency services and temporary detention for mental health evaluation and treatment when required, either on a voluntary or an involuntary basis. As a receiving facility, the CSU is the central reception point for individuals who appear to need emergency mental health care. The receiving facility insures that persons receive needed services in the least restrictive setting and in the least intrusive manner. Individuals with mental illnesses are encouraged to seek treatment voluntarily and to choose the type of treatment needed. Minors requiring crisis stabilization services are referred and transported to an appropriate Miami/Dade County receiving facility. The CSU is licensed by the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to provide mental health services.

Eligibility Criteria:
Voluntary:

  • 18 years or older seeking admission for observation, diagnosis and/or treatment
  • In need of mental health services and can benefit from those services
  • Competent to provide express and informed consent

Involuntary:

  • 18 years or older
  • Valid Baker Act Involuntary Psychiatric Examination Initiation:
    • Reason to believe that he/she is mentally ill
    • Because of mental illness has refused voluntary examination
    • Person is unable to determine for self if examination is necessary
    • Person will likely suffer from neglect or refuse care and as a result of refusal or neglect would pose a threat of harm to self or others
    • Substantial likelihood that without care or treatment the person will cause serious bodily harm to self or others in the near future as evidenced by recent behavior

Exclusionary Criteria:

  • Non-ambulatory conditions
  • IV medications
  • Uncontrolled seizure disorder
  • Temperature of 101 or more
  • Severe wound problems
  • Acute congestive heart failure
  • Any other medical condition which the staff deems not safe for the admission to a non-medical Unit
  • Anyone with medical problems beyond the scope of care provided by the Unit will not be accepted until such time the condition has been treated and/or medically verified in writing as having been stabilized and final approval by GCC physician to admit

Services:

  • 11 CSU beds
  • 24/7 Emergency Screening for persons seeking voluntary admission
  • Involuntary Psychiatric Examination for persons received under the Baker Act
  • Daily medical contact and oversight of the medication regimen
  • 24/7 licensed nursing services and psychiatric tech support services
  • Life Skills and Education groups
  • Discharging Planning
  • HIV counseling and testing
  • Treatment Planning

Treatment Planning:

  • Treatment planning and related services to be provided occurs directly with the client
  • Services are tailored to the strengths, needs, abilities and preferences of the client
  • Services promote personal responsibility
  • Goals of treatment are not the sole responsibility of a single staff person or a lone client, but are the responsibility is shared by all in an active partnership

Contact Information:

  • Contact Person: CSU Charge Nurse
  • Location: Marathon, FL
  • Phone: (305) 434-7660

14 CARF Accredited Programs:

  • Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Adults)
  • Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents)
  • Community Integration: Psychological Rehabilitation (Consumer-Run)
  • Crisis Stabilization: Mental Health (Adults)
  • Detoxification: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults)
  • Diversion/Intervention: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Children and Adolescents)
  • Outpatient Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults)
  • Outpatient Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Children and Adolescents)
  • Outpatient Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Criminal Justice)
  • Outpatient Treatment: Integrated: AOD/MH (Adults)
  • Outpatient Treatment: Integrated: AOD/MH (Children and Adolescents)
  • Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults)
  • Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents)
  • Prevention: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Children and Adolescents)

Guidance/Care Center Inc. is sponsored by:

  • State of Florida, Department of Children and Families
  • Thriving Mind South Florida
  • Monroe County
  • Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged
  • SAMHSA
  • and other governmental/private entities.




Client fees and donations are also necessary for the operation of the Guidance/Care Center Inc. Private donations are welcome and are tax deductible


Equal Opportunity
GCC does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religion, color, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.