Recommended Reading
- Look for Department of Human Services: Making an Impact at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/
RESPOND (Residential Enhancement Services, Planning Opportunities for New Directions)
In collaboration with UPMC-Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC), RESPOND gives children with both mental retardation and mental illness a place to live, learn and receive individualized care.
For children and youth with autism, developmental disabilities, and serious and persistent mental illness, RESPOND is a residential program that can offer a better and safer way of life. Allegheny County Department of Human Services is the exclusive source of referral to this out-of-home treatment service.
RESPOND provides the following:
- Intensive mental health treatment and crisis intervention services.
- Individual therapeutic services.
- Family therapeutic services.
- Reunification services, if feasible.
- Coordination of individualized educational services.
- Comprehensive physical health assessment, triage and interventions.
- Medication management.
- Consultation with mental retardation/mental health care specialists.
- Case management services.
WHY IT WORKS
RESPOND has demonstrated an on-going commitment by a dedicated staff to help children and their families. Family-focused communications help both the child and the family achieve a better quality of life.
Our staff work with multiple systems and provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Once a child is accepted into the program, a program meeting is held with everyone who will be part of the child's treatment plan. The residential staff at each facility is responsible for implementing these plans and for making sure that the skills learned during therapeutic sessions transfer to school, community and family settings.
