Crisis Respite Services
Short-term Support When You Need It Most
Crisis Situation?
For immediate crisis support: (612) 234-1533
Available 24/7 for current clients
What is Crisis Respite?
Crisis respite services provide immediate, short-term intensive support during emergency situations when regular support systems are insufficient or have broken down. These services are designed to stabilize crisis situations and prevent the need for more restrictive interventions like hospitalization or institutional placement.
Unlike regular respite services, which are planned in advance, crisis respite can be activated quickly when urgent situations arise. The goal is to provide intensive support during the crisis period while working on solutions to restore stability and prevent future crises.
Key Purpose: Crisis respite serves as a safety net, providing immediate intensive support to prevent more restrictive or costly interventions.
When to Use Crisis Respite
Crisis respite should be considered when there is an immediate threat to safety or when current support systems are unable to manage the situation. Common scenarios include:
Crisis Situations That May Require Respite
- Severe behavioral escalation requiring immediate intervention
- Mental health crisis with safety concerns
- Family or caregiver emergency preventing normal care
- Medical crisis requiring intensive monitoring
- Breakdown of current support system
- Environmental safety concerns in the home
Important: Crisis respite is not appropriate for all emergency situations. Medical emergencies requiring immediate medical intervention should go to emergency services first.
Types of Crisis Respite
Minnesota offers two main types of crisis respite services, each designed for different levels of crisis intervention:
In-Home Crisis Respite
Intensive support provided in the person's own home during crisis situations
Out-of-Home Crisis Respite
Temporary placement in a specialized crisis facility when home-based care isn't sufficient
How to Access Crisis Respite Services
Crisis respite services can be accessed through multiple pathways, depending on the urgency and nature of the crisis:
Contact Your Case Manager
Your case manager can help assess the situation and authorize crisis respite services if appropriate.
Call Your Service Provider
If you're already receiving services from Truwell, call our 24-hour crisis line for immediate assistance.
Contact County Crisis Services
Many counties have crisis response teams that can coordinate crisis respite services.
Emergency Assessment
A qualified professional will assess the situation and determine the appropriate level of crisis intervention needed.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for crisis respite services, individuals typically must meet the following criteria:
Basic Eligibility:
- Currently enrolled in a Minnesota waiver program
- Experiencing a crisis situation that threatens health or safety
- Current support system is unable to manage the crisis
- Professional assessment confirms need for crisis intervention
- Less intensive interventions are not sufficient
Duration and Limits
Crisis respite services are designed to be short-term interventions with specific duration limits:
Typical Duration
Most crisis respite episodes last 1-14 days, depending on the severity of the crisis and progress toward stabilization.
Annual Limits
Waiver programs typically allow up to 30-60 days of crisis respite per year, depending on the specific waiver.
Extensions
Extensions may be possible in exceptional circumstances with proper documentation and approval.
Costs and Coverage
Crisis respite services are covered under Minnesota waiver programs when properly authorized:
Covered Services Include:
- • Crisis intervention and stabilization
- • 24-hour supervision and support
- • Personal care assistance
- • Medication management
- • Crisis planning and follow-up
Most individuals will have no out-of-pocket costs for authorized crisis respite services. Prior authorization from the waiver program is typically required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can crisis respite services be activated?
Crisis respite services are designed for immediate response. Once the need is identified and approved, services can typically begin within hours, depending on the type of crisis and available resources.
Can crisis respite be used multiple times?
Yes, crisis respite can be used multiple times throughout the year as needed, up to the annual limits specified in your waiver program. Each situation is evaluated individually.
What is the difference between crisis respite and regular respite?
Crisis respite is specifically for emergency situations requiring immediate intervention, while regular respite is planned temporary relief for caregivers. Crisis respite typically provides more intensive support and can be activated quickly.
Who can request crisis respite services?
Crisis respite can be requested by the individual receiving services, family members, caregivers, case managers, or other professionals involved in the person's care team.
What happens after the crisis respite period ends?
Before crisis respite ends, the team works on transition planning, which may include returning to regular services, adjusting the support plan, or connecting with additional resources to prevent future crises.
Need Crisis Support or Have Questions?
Our crisis intervention team is available 24/7 to provide support and guidance during emergency situations. Don't wait until a crisis occurs to learn about available resources.