New crisis intervention provider set to take over

Berks County is preparing for its move to a new crisis intervention provider.

At midnight on June 4, Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems will take over as the county’s provider. The Exton-based company is replacing Service Access & Management Inc., which announced this year it was dropping the service after providing it to Berks for the past 25 years.

Pam Seaman, the county’s mental health and developmental disabilities administrator, said some small changes will come with the shift, but services will not be disrupted.

Holcomb will operate the county’s 24-hour crisis hotline, however the number for that hotline will change because the one currently in use is tied to SAM, she said. Starting at midnight on June 4, the hotline can be reached by calling 610-379-2007 or 1-888-219-3910.

For a time, calls made to the current hotline number will be redirected to the new one, Seaman said.

Seaman said the hotline can be used by anyone who thinks they or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis.

“If they need assistance or a family member or friend is concerned they can call,” she said.

The number for the Berks County Suicide Prevention Task Force’s ru OK? Berks crisis text messaging service will not change, Seaman said. Texts can still be sent to 484-816RUOK (7865).

For those looking for walk-in services, Holcomb will initially operate out of the same location where SAM provided those services at 19 N. Sixth St.

Seaman said hours for walk-ins will be limited at first, and the location will eventually move to a site on Buttonwood Street that Holcomb will soon be opening. Holcomb plans to offer limited crisis residential services at that location where up to six people can stay and receive services for up to two weeks.

Holcomb will also be taking over mobile services for the county, Seaman said. That is where case workers accompany police officers on calls involving a mental health crisis.

Seaman said she believes the preparation that has been done to get ready for the switch will allow for a seamless transition from SAM to Holcomb.

“That’s absolutely what we’re hoping for, she said.