Mental Health Crisis Situations In Temecula Getting County Help

TEMECULA, CA — A $7 million state grant received by the county to help prevent community tragedies that stem from mental health issues will be used, in part, in Temecula.

On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved receiving $7 million in Crisis Care Mobile Unit grant funds from the California Department of Health Care Services. The funding will be used to improve the Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health "mental health crisis stabilization services," according to the county.

The services feature "Mobile Crisis Management Teams" that provide on-scene crisis response and support to people with behavioral health issues, including mental health and substance use. The $7 million grant will allow the expansion of MCMT teams in Temecula, as well as Banning, Blythe, Corona, Hemet, Indio, Menifee, Moreno Valley and Riverside, according to the county.

Some cities will receive two teams to assist with coverage to surrounding areas that have "high volumes of crisis needs," according to the county. The additional coverage areas are Coachella, Eastvale, Hemet, Mecca, Moreno Valley, Norco, North Shore, Riverside, Temescal Canyon and Thermal.

The MCMT are teams comprised of four multidisciplinary staff members, including clinical therapists, peer support specialists, substance use counselors, as well as a homeless and housing case manager.

Each team has specialty training in crisis intervention and risk assessment, peer support, intensive case management services, including homeless outreach and housing, American Society of Addiction Medicine level of care screening, motivational enhancement and interviewing techniques, counseling, and access to residential treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, according to the county.

“The goals of these teams are to be responsive, person-centered and use recovery tools to prevent crisis and divert unnecessary psychiatric hospitalization whenever possible,” said Kristin Miller, administrator of RUHS-BH Crisis Support System of Care.

The MCMT teams will respond to crisis calls in the community and provide short-term treatment while assisting with connections to longer-term treatment services. MCMT staff will also participate in outreach activities and events to engage homeless and individuals in seeking assistance, according to the county.

“To make these goals a reality, we know that it takes a village, and partnering with our cities, law enforcement, community providers, and emergency responders, we can make this vision come to life together,” said Rhyan Miller, deputy director of RUHS-BH Integrated Programs.