Early Intervention Services

The Early Interventions Services (EIS) Program provides early detection and intervention for youth & young Adults (15-25) who are at Clinical High Risk for developing psychosis (CHRp). Therefore, consumers who are provided services through this program should either be experiencing Attenuated Symptoms of Psychosis (APS) or have had their First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) within the last two years. 

The goal of this program is to decrease the duration of untreated psychosis before it becomes disabling. The location of where services are provided are fluid based on the client’s individual needs ranging from the office, their home, or within the community. Mental Illnesses that this program addresses include but are not limited to any psychosis spectrum disorder, severe mood disorders with or without psychosis, Major depressive Disorder with psychotic symptoms. 

This program functions through the use of the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) Model. The CSE model is a holistic approach which includes case management, coordination with medication primary care, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, family education and support, and supported employment and education. Evidence-based treatments include medication management, substance use management, coordination with primary care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), case management and linkage, and family psychoeducation. 

Individuals who successfully graduate from the program are often linked to community based, non-specialty mental health care services. This is completed with the support, coordination and is followed through by LCBHS Access Team Case Managers.  When it is determined that an individual is not a candidate for EIS, the assessing clinician provides an internal referral to the appropriate LCBHS program and provides a warm hand-off to the appropriate party. 

Outreach is provided by this program wherein the program’s lead clinician attends LCBHS Children’s Outpatient Services team meetings and collaborative meetings with Child Welfare and Probation for early detection of FEP. By attending other clinical team meetings and collaborative meetings with other agencies, the EIS lead clinician may identify individuals who meet criteria for this program. Subsequently these individuals bypass the need to receive a referral for Early Intervention Services.

Family education and community outreach are key components to this program. Psychoeducation on psychosis and its treatment is provided to the individual in treatment, their family, and to the community. By increasing everyone’s understanding on the disorder/illness, treatment options, and the likelihood of recovery, individuals with mental illness and their families are empowered to pursue wellness and dismantle myths and stigma around mental illness.