 | CRISIS RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATION |
OUR MISSION The Crisis Residential Association exists to support the operational and clinical functions of Crisis Residential programs around the world. Rooted in the values of empathy, recovery, and continuous improvement, the association seeks to connect providers with the best ideas in behavioral health treatment to transform the way people receive mental health care. | WHAT ARE CRISIS RESIDENTIAL SERVICES? Crisis Residential services go by many different names (Crisis Residential Unit, Crisis Stabilization Unit, Crisis Respite, etc.), but refer to a short-term, community-based, homelike setting with multi-day lengths of stay, often serving as a step-down from, or alternative to, psychiatric hospitalization. | HISTORY The Crisis Residential Association began as a network of crisis facilities who came together to learn and write about current practices happening in facilities around the world. Crisis residential facility directors and managers shared their experiences through stories, examples, data, and current practices that have improved the experiences of those they serve. In 2018 a core group from the network met at the inaugural conference and decided to officially form the Crisis Residential Association to further their passion for providing the best possible services and advocating for expanded use of crisis residential services. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Travis Atkinson, MS, LPC President Consultant TBD Solutions LLC (MI) Travis has worked in the behavioral health field for the past 15 years. A fierce advocate for efficient, equitable, and cost-effective emergency psychiatric care, Travis has partnered with providers and payers across the country to find meaningful solutions to some of health care’s most challenging issues. Travis has sought out opportunities to infuse mental health treatment and music, bringing musical self-expression groups into psychiatric hospitals and crisis facilities. A native Michigander, Travis enjoys writing and performing music, coaching his daughters’ basketball teams, attending concerts, and stacking pills in the original Nintendo's Dr. Mario. He has traveled to 47 of the 50 states, and he hopes to one day perfect the two-fingered whistle. Travis received his BS in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and his MS in Human Services/Counseling from National-Louis University. He lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife and three daughters.
Alexandria Thomas Secretary Manager, Wellness and Recovery Center Neighborhood Properties (OH) Alexandria Thomas is the Manager of the Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) at Neighborhood Properties, the state of Ohio's first peer run mental health respite care center. As a Cleveland native, Alex is a graduate of the University of Toledo and has chosen to call Toledo home for the last 9 years where she has dedicated her life to community mental health and the needs of others. Currently, WRC employs up to 20 peers who use their own life experiences to help community members overcome challenges while reducing the need to emergency psychiatric and substance use services. Under Alex’s management, the WRC staff perform at a 96% satisfaction rate with guests who have described their stay as “relaxing” and “refreshing” amongst other things. The WRC was also the recipient of the 2019 Innovation and Excellence award provided by The Greater Toledo Community Foundation and The Andersons. However, when Alex is not working or volunteering in the community, you will likely find her at home where she lives with her Fiancé Thomas, her two dogs Sonni and Petey, and her cat better known as “Kitty”.
Marty Purdy, MA, LPAT
Tracy Abzug Practice Administrator of Crisis Residential Services Integral Care (TX)
Tracy has over 13 years of experience working in the behavioral health field. She has worked in several settings including an inpatient psychiatric hospital, outpatient community-based, and emergency departments. This experience has provided Tracy an opportunity to see the behavioral healthcare system from different vantage points and understand how important crisis residential programs are in the crisis continuum. Tracy oversees the Crisis Residential programs at Integral Care, the local mental health authority in Austin, TX, which includes Extended Observation Unit, Crisis Residential, Crisis Respite, and Outpatient Competency Restoration programs. |
Ranya Hasan, LCPC, NCC Vice President University of Illinois Ranya has over 10 years of behavioral health experience and leads efforts of bringing collaborative administrations to the table to holistically think-tank to aid the advancement of mental health care. Ranya is triple certified as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, International Certified Advanced Addiction & Drug Counselor, and National Board-Certified Counselor. She previously oversaw Rosecrance’s Crisis Residential Center, Adult Crisis Team, Mobile Crisis Response Team, Crisis Line, and Community Support Teams in Central Illinois. Currently, Ranya works on behavioral intervention efforts with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an Assistant Dean of Students in the Office of the Dean of Students and on the Mental Health Team for the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. Through partnering with hospitals, law enforcement jurisdictions, schools, correctional facilities, and rehabilitation providers she works to create meaningful impact that will help reduce instances of crisis and recidivism. Ranya specializes in building and retaining teams that are equipped with clinical knowledge, environmental support, and evidence-based approaches with intentional focus on multiculturalism to meet the needs of communities. In her free time, Ranya domestically and internationally volunteers to provide resource for equity causes, first-generation mentorship, and community development initiatives. Ranya is a self-taught renowned chef of her own kitchen at home and enjoys training to meet personal fitness goals for fun in her free time.
Dan Maccia, Psy.D. Conference Committee Co-Chair Vice President of Residential Services Community Research Foundation (CA) Dan Maccia, Psy.D. is a California Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Vice President of Residential Services at Community Research Foundation (CRF) located in San Diego. In this role, he oversees an integrated system of seven regionally located, research-vetted, crisis residential programs called Short Term Acute Residential Treatment (START). Dan was introduced to the crisis residential model and the CRF START programs as a practicum student while completing his Doctorate degree. He quickly recognized the impact these programs had on individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, accepted a direct service position following his practicum, and then quickly worked his way into crisis residential management. Today, Dan has over 19 years of experience working in crisis residential services and has dedicated his career to this important level of care. He has presented both locally, statewide, and nationally on the START program model.  Kristopher Thompson, LCSW
Peter Hilen, LMFT
Peter Hilen, LMFT has worked in the field of behavioral health for 15 years. After graduating in 2005 with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University, Peter began working in the field of adolescent and adult substance abuse case management, family therapy, and individual therapy at Chapman Medical Center. In 2007 Peter joined Saddleback College in the Health and Human Services department teaching the Crisis Intervention and Practicum Site seminar. From 2007 to 2012 Peter managed a variety of program types including inpatient Substance Abuse, Outpatient Substances Abuse, Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatric, and Adult Crisis Residential Programs. Peter currently chairs the Telecare Residential Standardization Group and has assisted in the start-up of several newly established Crisis Residential Programs in Contra Costa County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Peter has participated on several community and privately held corporate boards such as the Salvation Army in Los Angeles, the Orange County Substance Abuse Network, and the A.F. Gilmore Company in Los Angeles. Since 2012 Peter has been the Program Administrator for The Telecare Treehouse Central location in Orange County. Peter Lives with his wife and 3 children in Orange County and is an avid hockey fan. |
Jaime Brewer, MA, LPC, CCI Treasurer Clinical Senior Manager Community Reach Center (CO) Jaime Brewer has been working in the field of behavioral health since 2010. She is currently a Clinical Senior Manager at Community Reach Center in Westminster, CO in the Acute Services division. Jaime received her Bachelor of Art’s in Psychology from Colorado College and her Master’s in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Jaime’s passion for helping others led her to the crisis behavioral health field. Jaime has provided services to refugees in Denver, created a community mental health training program with The Carter Center in Liberia, Africa, provided in-home therapy services to kids and teens at risk of being removed from the home, and most recently has provided leadership at various levels for Crisis and Emergency Behavioral Health Services. Jaime balances her work and home life with her husband, two young kids, and two dogs by taking walks with her family, enjoying movies, reading and relaxing at home.
Carrie Wirick, LPCC- S LICDC - CS
Elan Javanfard, LMFT
Heather Honaker
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