Mobile Response and Stabilization Services
Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) provides immediate care to youth, ages 0-21, and their families in times of crisis. A Mobile Response worker will be dispatched to meet with the youth and their legal guardian wherever they are—home, school, police station, hospital, or other community location. Support continues for up to eight weeks, providing stabilization and appropriate referrals for the youth and their families.
We’re here to help with:
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Depression
Identifying and treating depression and other mood disorders.
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Stress & Anxiety
Identifying and treating anxiety disorders.
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Mood Disorders
Helping to identify and treat mood disorders, like bipolar disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
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Trauma
Providing support to navigate traumatic events and aid in the healing process.
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Behavioral Challenges in Children & Teens
Helping children and teens manage behavioral challenges while building healthy coping skills.
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Family Conflict
Providing guidance and support to resolve family conflicts and strengthen relationships.
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Justice & Legal Involvement
Supporting you as you navigate the legal system and pursue justice.
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Self Esteem Struggles
Offering support to build confidence, improve self-worth, and develop a positive sense of self.
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Substance Abuse
Offering support and treatment options for managing substance use and promoting recovery.
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PTSD
Supporting you to identify and treat PTSD and other mental health challenges due to stress and trauma.
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Parenting Support
Offering guidance and resources to help parents navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and promote healthy family dynamics.
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Grief & Loss
Providing support and guidance to help you cope with loss, process emotions, and begin to heal.
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Community Resources
Connecting you to important resources to guide you through your wellness journey.
Eligibility
To be eligible for MRSS services, you must:
- Be between the ages of 0 and 21 years old
- Experience behaviors that are no longer manageable with current coping skills
- Be at risk for disruption to the youth’s current living arrangement
- Experience disturbances to one or more life domains
What to Expect
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Reaching Out
In a time of crisis, reach out to MRSS by calling (877) 652-7624. A Mobile Response worker will meet you as soon as possible to provide de-escalation and stabilization services.
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Arranging Services
After stabilization services have been provided, your Mobile Response worker will use the next 72 hours to establish and communicate recommendations for appropriate services. When recommended services are approved by the family, they should begin within a week of meeting with your Mobile Response worker.
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Moving Forward with Care
MRSS will keep your case open for eight weeks following their first involvement to ensure you have the support and care needed to move forward. As long as your case is open, you will be contacted by your Mobile Response worker weekly to provide referrals and recommendations based on your youth’s changing needs.
FAQ’s
How much does Mobile Response cost?
Services through MRSS are provided at no cost to clients regardless of insurance and income.
Where do Mobile Response services take place?
Services through MRSS are provided in-person in their home, their school, police stations, hospitals or other community locations. We do have some flexibility for virtual engagements if there are significant barriers to an in-person meeting.
How long will my child receive services?
Services through MRSS are provided for approximately 8 weeks.
Why do you need Social Security numbers and income/insurance information if the service is free?
Mobile Response is a service that is free to youth and their families, and in order to continue providing that service, we have forms that need to be completed in order for us to bill. We bill Medicaid and need income and insurance information, as well as social security numbers, to rule out potential eligibility for Medicaid coverage. If your family is potentially eligible for Medicaid, we will assist in completing that application.
Will my insurance be billed?
Medicaid uses a “pay-and-chase” model to ensure clients never receive a bill. Medicaid will cover 100% of the cost of services and then will seek reimbursement from third party liability insurers. The insurer chooses how much to reimburse Medicaid. Any remaining balance is maintained by Medicaid. This model might result in families receiving an Explanation of Benefits, explaining the reimbursement amount, but never a bill.
What is the process for calling PerformCare?
The intake process with PerformCare can be lengthy, so plan ahead to be on the phone for 30-45 minutes before being connected to Mobile Response. The Care Coordinator at PerformCare will complete a triage based on the current situation and make recommendations to you as a result of that triage. It is possible that they don’t initially recommend MRSS. If you feel MRSS is the most appropriate service for you and your family, you can request it by name.
How do I qualify for MRSS?
To qualify for MRSS services, you must:
- Be between the ages of 0 to 21 years old
- Experience behaviors that are no longer manageable with current coping skills
- Be at risk for disruption to the youth’s current living arrangement
- Experience disturbances to one or more life domains
What can I expect when a Mobile Response worker arrives?
A Mobile Response worker will meet with your family to understand the situation, help de-escalate the immediate crisis, assess your child’s needs, and develop a plan to help your family feel safe and supported. The goal is to stabilize the situation while connecting your family with ongoing services and resources.
Can parents or caregivers be involved throughout services?
Yes. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the MRSS process. Your Mobile Response worker will work closely with your family to understand your concerns, develop strategies that support your child, and connect you with resources that strengthen your family’s ability to manage future challenges.
What happens after the immediate crisis has been resolved?
After the crisis has stabilized, MRSS continues working with your family for approximately eight weeks. During that time, your Mobile Response worker will provide ongoing support, monitor progress, coordinate referrals, and help ensure your family is connected to the services needed for long-term success.
Will MRSS connect my family with additional services?
Yes. If your child or family would benefit from additional support, your Mobile Response worker will help coordinate referrals to behavioral health services, community resources, family supports, or other programs that best meet your family’s needs.
What is the difference between Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) and going to the emergency room?
MRSS is designed to respond to behavioral health crises involving children and youth in their home, school, or community whenever it is safe to do so. The goal is to de-escalate the situation, stabilize the crisis, and connect families with ongoing supports, often helping avoid an unnecessary emergency room visit. If a child is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency or requires immediate medical or psychiatric care, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
