Intake and Assessment

The Central Intake Unit (CIU) of the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission is the gatekeeper and point of contact for individuals in need of substance abuse, mental health, and/or intellectual disabilities services. The CIU is responsible for the intake, assessment, and level of service determination for individuals seeking these publicly funded behavioral health services. The purpose of the telephone intake process is to gather enough information and data to support criteria for different levels of care for services and treatment offered by various contracted treatment providers. The intake process is conducted to ensure that individuals with D&A/MH/ID issues have access to services in a full continuum of care by identifying, referring, and authorizing appropriate levels of care. Assessment consists of a face-to-face interview.

The MCBHC/CIU provides preferential services to pregnant injection drug users, pregnant substance users, injection drug users, women with children, adolescents, intravenous drug users, Veterans, overdose survivors and individuals actively experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These populations are offered appointments within 24 hours of their telephone intake. All other non-emergency referrals for services are offered an appointment within 72 hours of the intake.

For more information call (724) 662-2230

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