During the same period an average of 122 people were admitted to state institutions each year. Minnesota's legislature recognized the need to end this pattern of admissions, and authorized funding for a community behavioral support and crisis response demonstration program, specifying that it be evaluated for its ability to reduce institutionalization in a cost-beneficial manner. Both involve an interdisciplinary team focusing on non-aversive behavioral interventions guided by a functional assessment of challenging behavior. The program staff include a director with extensive experience in mental health, two behavior analysts, a psychiatric nurse, an intake worker, and experienced direct care staff in the crisis unit.
Ongoing consultation is provided by a board-certified psychiatrist and licensed psychologist.
This team is able to assess a range of environmental, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and communicative factors. Outreach services include functional assessment of the behavior for which the individual is referred, technical assistance in devising appropriate interventions, and care provider training. Consultation is provided by the SSP staff on long-term planning of more appropriate accommodations or enhancing supports to permit the individual to return home. The short-term crisis unit is staffed 24 hours per day and can accommodate four people at a time. To the extent feasible these persons maintain their school, work or other activity while living on the unit.