PRN PROGRAM
Psychiatric Response Network
For years there was a concern that not all youth living in the state’s residential programs were receiving adequate clinical services. This was especially true of children and adolescents residing in shelters and group home placements - programs that usually have limited clinical budgets. In 1997 Council members voted to pool funds to create the psychiatric response network program. In 1999 RICORP awarded Gateway Healthcare the first PRN contract. In July 2004 Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (NHPRI) assumed management and fiscal oversight of the PRN Program.
What is the Psychiatric Response Network? PRN provides psychiatric consultation and medication management to programs (who have contracts with DCYF to provide residential services to children and adolescents). PRN is a short-term program (2-3 months after initial evaluation). Its goal is to ensure the psychiatric needs of children and adolescents in residential programs who are in transition between community-based services providers.
How can PRN services be initiated? All placements have been supplied with referral packets. If you do not have this packet, simply call the PRN Coordinator to request one (401-784-3600, ext. 3632). Included in this packet are the necessary releases, permission to treat forms, and other forms requiring information needed to allow PRN to evaluate and treat the client. To make a referral please call the coordinator, and initial screening information will be taken over the phone. Appointments will be given at the time of referral.
Before any services can start the Permission to Treat form must be signed, all paperwork must be completed and presented at the time of the initial appointment. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. (Upon receipt of the Permission to Treat form PRN is able to liaison with a client that has been hospitalized before discharge to a residential site.)
Where do PRN services take place? The jewel of the PRN program is that the doctors come out to the residential sites to evaluate the client. An added bonus is that appointments are usually scheduled within days (sometimes only a day) of the referral.
For more information on the Psychiatric Response network please call 401-784-3600.
©2008 RICORP, All Rights Reserved
Revised:
7-Dec-07