Getting to the Crisis Response Center

Drop-offs and walk-ins 

We ask that you come with or meet your child at the Crisis Response Center in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Behavioral Health and Crisis Center (BHCC). If your child is under 14, it is mandatory that you are present at admission. If your child arrives by ambulance, you will be able to see them after the security screening process.

By car and need parking 

There is a parking garage for patient families with an entrance off of S. 54 St. near the Larchwood Avenue intersection. To enter the Behavioral Health and Crisis Center, exit the garage at the street level and walk approximately 90 yards south to the CHOP entrance. You will see a large CH indicating the CHOP entrance; enter through the glass doors to the right. Do not enter the Penn Medicine Emergency Department entrance to access CHOP mental health services.

By public transportation 

Two SEPTA bus routes have stops near the Behavioral Health and Crisis Center. Check SEPTA.org for schedules.

• The Route G bus stops at S. 57th St. and Larchwood Ave.
• The Routh 52 bus stops at S. 52th and Cedar Ave.

What to expect when you arrive 

When you arrive at the Crisis Response Center, you will receive a warm welcome from one of our peer advocates, clinicians or security personnel. To ensure everyone’s safety, we will clearly explain the screening process, including where to store personal belongings. 

Check-in/triage

A patient service representative will help you begin registration. Next, a member of the nursing team will begin assessment and the medical clearance process. If your child has any urgent medical needs, we will address them at this time.

Registration

After (or during) triage, you’ll meet with a patient service representative to complete the registration process, such as confirming your child’s contact information and insurance coverage.

Waiting area 

Once triage and registration are complete, you’ll move to the waiting area. Please be aware that wait times can vary and may be quite lengthy, depending on how many children are being seen. 

Patient care in the Crisis Response Center (CRC)

When it’s your child’s turn, a mental health evaluator (MHE) will meet with you and your child to learn more about what brought you in. This evaluation covers your child’s current symptoms, past mental health history, family background and existing supports in the community.

After that evaluation, the MHE meets with one of our psychiatrists to discuss your child’s case. The psychiatrist will then meet with you and your child to gather any additional information and determine the most appropriate level of care for your child.

This may include:

• Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization (for children who require 24/7 hospital-level care for safety and intensive therapeutic support)
• Partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs (structured daytime programs that involve coming to the hospital for therapy during the day and returning home each evening)
• Outpatient behavioral health care (regular, ongoing treatment in the community)

Throughout the process, our staff will keep you informed and answer any questions you have about next steps.

If your child is admitted 

Acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization gives your child a safe space to begin the work of healing. Our multidisciplinary approach to treatment honors your child’s strengths, builds upon a positive framework and allows your child a chance to thrive in a place of hope and healing. Our goal is that your child returns home with new coping strategies, new communication skills and a better sense of self.

You will receive our Family Guidebook to learn more about the program and treatment process. Within the first 48 hours, your child’s therapist will schedule an initial family meeting to discuss the treatment plan and set goals meaningful to you and your child. The average stay is about 10 days, and we begin discussing discharge needs upon admission to ensure your family has the resources for healing at home. 

Please review your schedule and plan visits during visiting hours; if those times don’t work, let your child’s therapist know so we can explore alternatives. At admission, you will receive direct phone numbers for the nursing station and your child’s therapist. Visitation is part of the treatment model and is available daily with up to two adult visitors at a time.

Your child can make phone calls at scheduled times each day. You can also call at any time and ask to speak to your child.

If your child is discharged 

If your child does not need inpatient care, they will be discharged with a potential recommendation for partial hospitalization, outpatient therapy or community-based services. Our social work team will send referrals to the appropriate programs and follow up with you after discharge to confirm your child is successfully connected to care.