Youth Crisis
Who Qualifies
Youth ages 5 to 25 who live in Shasta County.
Why This Program Exists
Shasta County lacks a specially trained workforce and resources to support youth at risk of suicide or struggling with self-harm and substance use. This program creates immediate safety for youth with the goal of keeping them in their homes when safe, reducing time spent in Emergency Departments, lowering the number of youth placed on involuntary 72-hour holds (5150/5585), and decreasing the number sent to inpatient care. Once stabilized, the team works with the youth and their family to build both a Safety Plan and a Wellness Plan, addressing risk factors and protective factors together. Ongoing support is provided for up to 3 months, including crisis counseling for the youth and weekly family group classes with Peer Youth and Parent Coaches.
Youth Rapid Response Team (YRRT)
YRRT provides rapid response (within 1 to 12 hours) and stabilization services for youth ages 5 to 25 and their families who are experiencing significant behavioral or emotional distress related to self-harm, substance use, or suicide. The goal is to help prevent a crisis from developing, move safely through a crisis, or heal after one. Because distress affects the whole family and not just the young person, YRRT uses a family systems approach. The program runs in three stages.
Stage 1: Rapid Response
- Available 365 days a year, with rapid (not immediate) response and initial contact within 1 to 12 hours of outreach
- Dedicated phone line for calls and texts, open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Follow-up response within 3 hours, except during nighttime hours
- Messages left after 10 p.m. are answered the following morning
- Initial meetings held face-to-face at The Lotus Center (TLC), the youth’s home or school, local hospitals/EDs, or another community location convenient to the family
- Virtual options available for families who cannot meet in person
- Referrals accepted from youth, families, clinicians, educators, youth-serving agency staff, medical professionals, MCOT, CIRT, and others
Stage 2: Assessment & Safety Planning
- Youth-focused, evidence-based screening and assessment tools, including the ASQ, the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and the Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) Worksheet for outpatient youth
- Safety planning using the ASIST Safety Framework and the Stanley Brown Safety Plan, with youth-focused safety and wellness components added
- All decisions, services, and supports guided by the Zero Suicide Framework
- Each youth also creates a Wellness Plan, customized to focus on what makes their life more manageable and enjoyable
Stage 3: Ongoing Stabilization Services
- No-cost services for up to 3 months
- Weekly or twice-weekly individual crisis counseling, provided by clinicians trained in suicide-focused care for youth using CAMS, CAMS-4Teens, and CAMS-BI
- 9-week family group classes using the evidence-based Wellness Compass curriculum, with separate sessions for the youth (with a Youth Coach) and parents (with a Parent Coach), plus a closing whole-group session
- Individual youth and parent peer support available throughout the program
Our Approach
All supports and services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, family driven, and youth guided. Activities and classes are offered when families are available, including evenings and weekends, and are individualized to each family’s needs and preferences. The team offers lived-experience support to the youth and family while connecting them to other services the family identifies as important.
Meet Marcia Ramstrom
Director, Trainer, Crisis Counselor
- Proven Track Record — Active since 2013
- Leadership with Experience & Heart (35+ years)
- Expertise in rural challenges (stigma, limited access, isolation)
- Builds sustainable systems within agencies
- We build sustainable systems with your school team
- Some services are funded through BHSA or CYBHI—drastically reducing your cost
Reach the Youth Rapid Response Team
You can reach the Youth Rapid Response Team (YRRT) three ways: call, text, or fill out our Google Form.
Phone / Text: 530-440-6717
7 AM – 10 PM: Calls are answered immediately if a clinician is available. Otherwise, we’ll respond within 3 hours.
10 PM – 7 AM: Text or leave a message, and we’ll respond the next morning between 7 AM and 10 AM.
Disclaimer
This program has been funded by the County of Shasta through the California Behavioral Health Services Act.
