Emergency & Crisis Procedures

If you or the patient is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please take one of the following actions immediately:

• Call 911
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7, free and confidential)
• Call Florida 211 or 1-877-949-211 (for crisis support and local services)
• Ask law enforcement for a wellness check when safety concerns are present
• Mobile Crisis Unit (contact your county's behavioral health provider); availability varies by county

Please share this information with family members or caregivers so they also know how to respond in a crisis. For minor patients, parents or legal guardians are responsible for monitoring safety, implementing crisis plans, and contacting emergency services when necessary. This practice cannot monitor patient safety between appointments.

• Florida Mobile Crisis Services (varies by county): Contact your county's behavioral health provider
• Florida DCF Abuse Hotline (Child/Elder Abuse & Neglect): 1-800-962-2873 (Available 24/7)
• NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 | Text "HelpLine" to 62640
• Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741 (Available 24/7)
• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth Support): 1-866-488-7386 | Text "START" to 678678
• RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
• SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (Available 24/7)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | Text "START" to 88788 (Available 24/7)

Under Florida law (Chapter 394, Florida Statutes), a person may be taken for involuntary examination if they meet specific legal criteria related to risk of harm to themselves or others or inability to care for themselves.

Information shared is kept private and confidential in accordance with HIPAA and applicable Florida law. However, information may be disclosed without written authorization if legally required, such as in cases involving:

• When a parent or legal representative provides written authorization to release information
• If the patient expresses thoughts, intent, or plans to seriously harm themselves or another person
• If the provider has reasonable cause to believe that a child, elderly person, or dependent adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited
• If disclosure is required by a valid court order, subpoena, or other legal process
• If the patient meets criteria for involuntary psychiatric evaluation or hospitalization
• If the provider consults with other professionals for treatment planning or coordination of care
• If services are requested, authorized, or funded by a third party

For minor clients, parents or legal representatives generally have the right to access the patient's records. A complete description of privacy practices is provided in the Notice of Privacy Practices.

• Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Response Time: Messages are typically returned within 3 business days

Do not use messages or calls for emergencies. They are not routinely monitored. For non-urgent matters, contact the office at 954-284-0048 or admin@pediatricneuropsychologyassociates.com.

• This document is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for emergency medical or psychiatric care.
• This document does not create a 24/7 monitoring obligation or emergency duty of care.
• Services provided by this practice do not substitute for emergency mental health care.
• Providing crisis resource information does not establish an emergency treatment relationship.

This Emergency & Crisis Procedures document will be reviewed and updated routinely. Clients will be notified of any significant changes during appointments or via email.