Grassroots Provides Round-the-Clock Mobile Crisis Services

Grassroots, Howard County’s crisis intervention center and shelter for people who are homeless, is now providing round-the-clock mobile crisis services, according to Executive Director Dr. Mariana Izraelson.

“In response to requests from county officials and referring agencies, the Grassroots Mobile Crisis Team is now responding seven days a week, 24 hours a day to psychiatric emergencies, family crises, and other traumatic events in the community,” Izraelson said. “This expansion of services would not be possible without financial support from Howard County Government.”

Established in 2001, the Grassroots Mobile Crisis Team is a two-member team of master’s level mental health professionals who respond with the police to emergency calls from private residences, workplaces, accident scenes, and public locations. In addition, the police request Mobile Crisis Team support in cases such traumatic death situations as homicides, suicides, and fatal workplace or traffic accidents.

Team members have authority to sign Petitions for Emergency Evaluation which allows the police to immediately transport an individual to the hospital on an involuntary basis for a psychiatric evaluation.

The Mobile Crisis Team responds to over 1,000 crisis situations per year. The Mobile Crisis Team can be reached through the Grassroots Crisis Hotline, 410-531-6677.