Surviving the Life Cycle of the Crisis Center

Mary Ellen Taglia, MA Tim Higgins, MSW

Director Director

Adult Crisis Crisis Network Center

Emergency Mental Healthcare Center Pathway Brief Treatment Center

Grand Prairie Services ProCare Centers

Wyman Gordon Pavilion 1820 South 25^th Avenue

One Ingalls Drive Broadview, Illinois 60153

Harvey, Illinois 60426 (708) 338-7806

(708) 331-0500

A humorous and pragmatic look at the way the serious business of crisis center survival. By taking a new look at old issues (including clinical development, financial marketing, and staffing topics) we will focus on how the crisis center can survive and how we can survive the crisis center.

As crisis professionals, we all seem to manage day to day in the area of client care. However, we have learned various lessons and techniques over the years that have resulted in a greater effectiveness for both our clients and ourselves.

We will share our experience and expertise in the following areas which we feel are the keys to effective crisis treatment.

•Staffing Issues: Excellent client care begins with an exquisite clinician. For this reason we will discuss successful methods for hiring competent clinicians. We will also share secrets we have learned in order to maintain excellent staff avoiding losing valuable crisis counselors.
•Financial Issues: The life of the crisis unit depends upon financial stability in order to provide quality services. For this reason, we will share our expertise in this area.
•Marketing Techniques: Because time is often limited, we have learned where to put forth the most effort in marketing our program and how to measure our effectiveness.
•Supervisory Issues: Finally, we will share with you how to train and maintain supervisory staff. We will share what we have learned both about the art of delegation and methods of time management.

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