Scattered-site crisis beds: an alternative to hospitalization for children and adolescents.

This paper describes the rationale, development, and implementation of a countywide scattered-site crisis bed program for seriously emotional disturbed youngsters. The program was developed by an interagency coalition consisting of representatives of the county's mental health, social service, and juvenile justice systems and was implemented with no new funding using available beds in facilities administered by the participating agencies. Referrals are screened by an interagency crisis consultation team responsible for the program's operation. A computerized registry significantly reduces the amount of time needed to make placements and helps agencies meet the goal of placing youngsters on the day of referral. Evaluation of the first 100 placements indicated that the program is a cost-effective alternative to more restrictive, longer-term placements and has resulted in positive clinical outcomes.