Community Action Team (CAT)

Phone number: 863.665.3110

Address: 1831 N. Crystal Lake Dr. Lakeland, FL 33801

Community Action Team (CAT) is a self-contained, multi-disciplinary clinical team that provides comprehensive, intensive community-based treatment to families with youth or young adults who are at risk of out of home placement due to a mental health or co-occurring substance abuse disorder and related complex issues.

CAT will provide family-centered, culturally competent services individualized according to the strengths and needs of each youth or young adult and his/her family with a goal of supporting and sustaining the youth or young adult in his/her family system, or the least restrictive and most clinically appropriate environment. Family commitment and participation are essential and expected for the success of the services.

CAT Services Provided and/or Coordinated include:

24/7 On-Call Coverage/Support
Case Management
Crisis Intervention
Educational System Advocacy and Coordination
Employment/Vocational Services
Family Support Network Development
Legal System Advocacy and Coordination
Life Skills Development
Mentoring
Parenting Skills/Behavior Modification
Psychiatric (evaluation and medication management)
Respite Services
Therapy (individual, group, and family)

Length of Service is 6-9 Months

Eligibility Requirements

Individuals aged 11-21 with a mental health diagnosis or co-occurring substance abuse diagnosis with one or more of the following accompanying characteristics:

At risk for out-of-home placements demonstrated by repeated failures at less restrictive levels of care
At least two or more psychiatric hospitalizations
Involvement with the Department of Juvenile Justice
Multiple episodes involving law enforcement
Poor academic performance and/or suspensions

(Exceptions may be made for children under 11 if they meet two or more eligibility requirements.)

Additional Outpatient Info:

Peace River Center provides Outpatient Therapy services in a variety of locations across Polk, Hardee and Highlands County (see below). Services are offered for children and adults ages 0-99+ in the format of individual and/or group therapy. New clients can expect a therapist to take a detailed social history to help understand their current life situation. Therapists will also work with prospective clients to create an individualized treatment plan to determine a roadmap for personal change. Therapists may also refer clients to additional Peace River services such as Targeted Case Management, Psychiatric Evaluations, Adult Recovery Services and Child-Specific Services. Peace River Center believes in Evidence-Based Practice, treatments that pair clinical knowledge with rigorous research on efficacy, to help provide positive outcomes for our clients. PRC therapists offer over 20 Evidence-Based Practices. Contact our centralized access to care line today at (863) 248-3311, if you are interested in pursuing therapy.