A child's safety is VIP's number one concern. And in those moments immediately following a trauma - when they are injured and scared, when they have witnessed a crime, and have been taken from their home by social workers or law enforcement officials and brought to us - our job is to not only treat their injuries but also to stabilize their mental state and reinforce to them that they will be safe and cared for.

VIP responds 24/7 to all cases of child abuse (both physical and sexual) and family violence at LAC+USC Medical Center. Because of VIP's unique integration of both medical and mental health services, we are able to offer children immediate crisis intervention at the time of their forensic medical assessment, forensic interviews, and/or medical evaluations.

These emergency assessments are an integrated part of our continuum of care for any child in the “protective custody phase” of DCFS involvement who are at risk for detention and need immediate mental health crisis interventions to determine appropriate emergency placement and interventions.

Children who have just been identified as victims of child abuse or family violence will receive urgent immediate assessments. Emergency assessment and treatment will also be provided to children who have acute psychological problems related to the abuse or violence that need to be resolved immediately. In addition, any child who is enrolled in either the existing VIP therapy program or who is in need of emergent CATC/HUB services will have access to services 24/7 via the on site team.

VIP clinicians may also provide crisis intervention services at our partner school sites as needed to youth in crisis who need to be seen more rapidly than a normally scheduled appointment.  Issues such as danger to self or others or grave disability will be addressed in the crisis service delivery at the school.  VIP clinicians will work collaboratively with school personnel to assess, contain and contact the PMRT to facilitate hospitalization of youth as needed.

The goals are to stabilize the child during the crisis, to decrease their symptoms, to keep them safe, and to build a support network around the child and their caretakers.

In addition to our collaborations with the Department of Children and Family Services, other social service agencies, local schools, nonprofit community groups, and the LAC+USC Medical Center, VIP also looks to its auxiliary support group HEART to provide resources for children and families in times of crisis.