It has been a little over two months since the opening of the DASH (Diagnostic, Assessment and Stabilization Hub) program. As expected, due to the extensive planning, collaboration and fact that this represents a new and alternative level of care, utilization of the crisis stabilization program has been significant and steadily increasing. This is also the case for the 24/7 crisis telephone hotline and mobile crisis services (currently 8 am-12 midnight, 7 days a week). The integration of this continuum of services is evident in many ways, and feels palpable when witnessed. The teamwork between the staff and our external partners has been extraordinary and doubtlessly has led to many positive outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to the following: prevention of emergency department or inpatient hospitalizations; linkage to necessary treatment based upon evaluations performed; initiation of medication assisted treatment when an individual is eligible and motivated; and connection to temporary housing/respite.

Not unlike other settings, we have experienced an ebb and flow with regard to referrals to DASH and our related services. It tends to be slower in the morning hours, on weekends in general and if schools are on break. Other times, there may be a rush for services all at once. We not only continue to learn about such natural rhythms, but also about the situations and issues that individuals present with. While one of our goals is to prevent unnecessary hospital based visits, which we are surely meeting to a large degree, there are, of course, cases which fall into the proverbial gray area or are clearly in need of a higher level of care. Regarding the latter, such individuals are generally not brought in by the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), but are "walk-ins". Our continued partnership with the SCPD, and the preparation work that was done, has clearly resulted in good decisions about who is appropriate for the DASH program. Similarly, our continued partnership with Stony Brook University Hospita's CPEP program has allowed for information exchange, case review and other vital work. Our community-based behavioral health partners have been, and will continue to be, wonderful partners - whether making referrals to our crisis programs or providing aftercare appointments for treatment follow-up. This is an area where we will continue to focus on expanding the reach and breadth of our collaborative efforts. Given the technology in use, it takes time to build the necessary operational workflows and processes.

Lastly, I wanted to provide some recent data to bring to life the activity in the related programs. I am using April, 2019, as the representative benchmark since this was the first full month of operation:

April Stats

DASH	Number of Individuals Seen at DASH 39% minors (under 18) 61% adults	366 (Average 12 per day)
Mobile Crisis	Total Referrals  Completed Visits	194 101
Hotline	Number of Hotline Calls Number of calls resulting in referral to DASH or Mobile Crisis Team	635 275

On April 4 and 5, 2019, Suffolk Community College, Office of Continuing Education, and SCC held a Health Care Career Fair, at the college's Brentwood and Riverhead campuses.  Students and graduates were invited to hear about opportunities from various health care providers across Suffolk County, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home care agencies and community based organizations.  

Our goal is to continue collaborating and providing Suffolk County health care providers, community based organizations and social service organizations with a pool of individuals who have the skills to meet current and future employment needs.  Thank you to Suffolk Community College for sponsoring this event and to all those who participated.