Crisis Residential Treatment Program introduces alternative for mental health recovery

DOWNEY - Valley Star Behavioral Health held an open house for their Crisis Residential Treatment Program (CRTP) facility at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Restorative Care Village in Downey on April 20.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health granted Valley Star the contract to operate the CRTP. The department will also allow Valley Star’s parent company, Stars Behavioral Health Group, subsidiary organizations the contract to operate an additional eight CRTPs in LA County, which will open throughout 2023.

The 16-bed facilities were designed for adults struggling with mental health challenges or a recent crisis who need intensive treatment. These nine facilities will operate across four sites for 144 patient beds serving 2,500 clients annually.

Steve Albrecht, the regional administrator for Stars Behavioral Health Group, explained the programs are an alternative to hospitalization, where patients live on-site in a homelike setting for approximately 30 days while they receive counseling and learn interpersonal skills.

“Clients will receive physical and psychological evaluation, mental health and case management services, in addition to assistance locating permanent housing,” Albrecht said. “They are given supportive services to remain stable and successfully transition back to community living.”

During the open house, guests were shown how the CRTP facility would operate when housing clients. Staff members are on-call 24/7 to assist patients if any accidents occur during the evening.

The facility has a cafeteria, lounge on the first and second floor, computer room and patio. Rooms are disability accessible and equipped to assist patients with crises.

While the facility is open for clients to walk outside and enjoy the patio, leaving the campus without a family member or staff member is prohibited.

Kent Dunlap, the Stars Behavioral Health Group CEO, expressed limiting recidivism is essential to the organization and a priority for the facility to ensure when a client leaves.

“If a client cycles back into a crisis or struggles with their mental health, we want them to have the resources to stabilize themselves,” Dunlap said. “They won’t need to be hospitalized or need intensive services. We want them to have a better chance of them maintaining their well-being and stability.”

Kenyette Boyde, a recovery counselor at the facility, explained the activities and processes she goes through with clients to help them manage their crises.

“I noticed that they love to do art and I find it’s very therapeutic for them to paint. I always ask clients to focus on colors,” Boyde said. “A lot of clients like to use black because they feel like they’re living in a dark hole. You know, they’re trying to find their way out.”

By focusing on the colors a client uses, Boyde said she could better understand how to proceed with either goal setting or coping skills.

“We want clients to be able to interact with staff and peers. Some clients are nonverbal and it takes them a while to open up,” Boyde said. “It takes empathy and patience to assist them.”

Valley Star Crisis Residential Treatment Program expects to open in May, and an additional 16-bed facility will open on the same campus later this year.