Mental Health

Mental Health Director: Kayla Wright
CASSP Coordinator: Christy Lineman
Forensic Reentry Specialist: Pat Harris
Blended Case Manager: Patty Allen

Potter County Department of Mental Health has a committed team that is dedicated to assisting individuals of all ages in our community presenting with mental health needs.

These duties include:

·         Base Service Unit (BSU)
·         Blended Case Management (BCM)
·         Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP)
·         Student Assistance Program (SAP)
·         Forensic Re-entry Services
·         Potter County Re-entry Coalition
·         Local Housing Options Team (LHOT)
·         Transformational Living
·         Potter County Suicide Prevention Task Force
·         Mental Health Disaster Preparedness
Center for Community Resources (CCR) is Potter County's Mental Health Crisis Hotline. They provide 24/7 mobile and phone services: 866-957-3224 or text #63288  

Base Service Unit (BSU)
The Base Service Unit is available to assist individuals of all ages with accessing mental health services/programs and supports in Potter County based on their needs and their preferences.
The Base Service Unit determines eligibility for various mental health programs and treatment.  To contact the Base Service Unit please call 814-544-7315 or 1-800-800-2560 and ask for the Base Service Unit.

Blended Case Management (BCM)
Blended Case Management is available to children, adolescents and adults with serious and persistent mental illness or at risk of, who need assistance with navigating mental health services.
Case managers aid individuals through outreach and advocacy, to ensure they receive the service necessary to keep them in the community and work toward recovery.  Recovery-based practices include self-direction, empowerment and a holistic approach to service provision.  Caseloads are restricted by size by regulation to ensure that there will be sufficient contact with each individual to meet their particular needs.  Individuals develop a written service plan with their case manager as an aid to monitor progress toward their goals.  Blended Case Management services are utilized in addition to traditional outpatient treatment services and assist persons in identifying measurable goals and objectives in areas such as housing/living, vocational/educational, basic health/safety, mental health and basic needs.  BCM staff will monitor service delivery, coordinate service/treatment needs, access needed services, and link individuals to appropriate services in the community.  Participation in Blended Case Management is voluntary.
Please call Potter County Human Services Department of Mental Health should you have questions about our Blended Case Management program 814-544-7315

-- be at risk for out-of-home placement
-- have had a recent psychiatric hospitalization
-- be involved in more than one child-serving system
-- have a mental health diagnosis that is impacting on his ability to function at home, school or in the community.
If a child does not have a mental health diagnosis, he/she will still be reviewed by the CASSP Team who will then make a recommendation that a psychiatrist or psychologist assess the child for a possible mental health diagnosis.
Coordination of service provision Services are voluntary and free. Emphasis is on consumer choice.
Services are child/adolescent centered, family focused, and community based and sensitive to cultural differences and promote the least restrictive, intrusive approach.
Please call Potter County Human Services Mental Health Department to talk with our CASSP Coordinator 814-544-7315

CASSP Referral Form
CASSP Brochure

Forensic Re-Entry Services
The Potter County Human Services Mental Health developed a Forensic Re-entry program to provide assistance to Potter County individuals that are incarcerated and have been previously diagnosed with a mental illness to transition
back into the community more smoothly.  The program services include: housing assistance, education, life skills, employment, etc., while they are located at the Potter County Jail, Long Term Structured Residential Forensic Facility
and State correctional facilities. This service will continue to monitor the individual for six months to a year after release.

Forensic Re-entry Referral Form
Forensic Re-entry Brochure
Forensic Re-entry Handbook

Homeless Assistance
The Department of Mental Health offers homeless assistance to individuals over the age of 18 that are Potter County residents, that have a current diagnosis of a Mental Illness that find themselves homeless. The Housing Specialist will conduct an intake following acceptance of the application for assistance.  Development of a service plan is completed, identifying the areas of need, i.e. various service programs, goals are established and worked toward.

The homeless assistance program is time limited 2 weeks.Please call 814-544-7315 or 800-800-2560 to talk with our Housing Coordinator.

Homeless Assistance Application

Mental Health Disaster Preparedness

     Potter County Department of Mental Health is trained for traumatic response to disaster situations when requested.  Our staff have complied with state regulations and completed all course required by the state to provide disaster response, including but not limited to Mental Health First Aid, Psychological First Aid.  Our team provides psychological and emotional support to victims and first responders following a natural or man-made disaster.
Disasters can occur naturally (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, mudslides, or drought) or be human-caused (e.g., mass shootings, chemical spills, or terrorist attacks). Preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and traumatic events is essential to the behavioral health of individuals and communities alike.
When people experience a disaster, they may experience a variety of reactions, many of which are natural responses to difficult situations. Most people show resilience after a disaster. Resilience is the ability to bounce back, cope with adversity, and endure during difficult situations. Thankfully, resilience in disaster recovery is ordinary, not extraordinary, and people regularly demonstrate this ability. Using supportive resources to address stress and other hardships is a critical component of resilience.
It is also common for people to show signs of stress after exposure to a disaster making it important to monitor the physical and emotional health of those affected as well as those responding to the needs of others. Although everyone reacts differently to disasters, some of those affected may suffer from serious mental or emotional distress. These individuals may develop or experience exacerbation of existing mental health or substance use problems, including for example, post-traumatic stress disorder. Finding treatment in a timely fashion will help individuals minimize negative outcomes.

Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The Potter County Department of Mental Health acts at the Mental Health Liaison for the schools SAP teams throughout the County.  The Mental Health Liaison accepts referrals from the SAP team and conducts screenings, utilizing the Juvenile Inventory for Functioning (JIFF) and can make referrals to the appropriate resources as decided by the team.

Transitional Living Program
The Transitional Living program is designed to assist homeless Potter County residents over the age of 18 with a mental health diagnosis. We offer services to facilitate the movement of homeless individuals to permanent housing.
Participants will receive training and instruction in order to learn the skills necessary to become and remain good tenants. Case Management and other supports (food, shelter, utility assistance, emergency shelter and medical transportation) will be provided to participants through existing PCHS programs. The Mental Health Housing Specialist will provide housing information and make referrals for Potter County residents that find themselves in a housing crisis situation even if they are not eligible for the Potter County Transitional Program. Safe, affordable housing for the people is the ultimate goal.  Our Mission is to provide supportive services to increase skills and income of the participants, and achieve greater self-determination in order to obtain and maintain permanent affordable housing. Safe, decent, affordable housing is an achievable goal for all individuals struggling with homelessness.

Transitional Living Program Application

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Task Force
We are a community-based organization developed to address youth/teen suicide through public awareness, education & training, to help communities build sustainable suicide prevention programs, and to help strengthen existing community programs.
What we do:
Provide unique, bridging the gap, suicide prevention trainings & community, development for all ages
Have chapters throughout the U.S. and globally
Program sites in over 5,000 schools in the U.S
Providing technical assistance for developing state plans, and community coalitions
Created International Suicide Prevention Week – which is observed the 2^nd week of September
About Yellow Ribbon:
The Spirit of Yellow Ribbon is its people. The program began in 1994 in response to heartfelt pleas from teens and adults after the death of a friend and loved one. Words of help and hope said by teen’s family were put on bright yellow paper and shared at services. Why Yellow?? For their friend was known for the bright yellow 1968 Ford Mustang he had rebuilt. Teens shared messages locally and began to mail them to friends and loved ones. Within three weeks word came of a girl who got help when she gave the hallmark of the program – the Ask 4 Help! Card to her teacher… The ripple effect began and a bright yellow bridge was built.
If you have any questions please contact Potter County Mental Health at (814)544-7315.  Donations can be made to PCHS Yellow Ribbon.

Potter County Mental Health Providers
A Way Out FaceBook Page
Beacon Light Behavioral Health www.beacon-light.org
CareerLink www.pacareerlink.pa.gov
CenClear www.cenclear.org
Center for Community Resources www.ccrinfo.org
Concern Counseling www.concern4kids.org
Crossroads Counselng www.crossroadscounselinginc.com
Dickinson Mental Health www.dickinsoncenter.org
Merakey www.merakey.org
Northern Tier Children’s Home
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/ovr/Pages/default.aspx
Sagewood
The Guidance Center www.guidancecenter.net
UPMC-Cole TeleHealth www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/telemedicine-services/outpatient-telemedicine-centers/upmc-cole

Potter County Adult Mental Health Services


Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services


If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to make a referral please call our office at (814)544-7315