McAuliffe House is an eight-bed, voluntary, community based, residential alternative to inpatient hospitalization for people in acute psychiatric crisis. A 24-hour counseling and crisis stabilization residence located in a suburban single-family neighborhood, McAuliffe House provides short-term intervention on referral. The program seeks to reduce unnecessary admissions to inpatient mental health facilities. Clients are encouraged to participate in structured groups, individual counseling, and nightly dinner preparation. They continue to go to work, see family and participate in regular therapeutic treatment. The length of stay at McAuliffe House averages 6 days and serves eligible individuals throughout Montgomery County.
McAuliffe House is based on a zero-reject model that favors more client control and individualized care. Clients have the opportunity to enjoy socialization in a safe, nurturing environment. Individual treatment plans are designed to assist clients in planning crisis stabilization and prevention of subsequent crisis. The program was the subject of a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsored research study comparing McAuliffe’s treatment and cost effectiveness with that of a psychiatric ward of a local hospital. The study demonstrated that the McAuliffe hospital alternative is equally effective treatment at less than one-third of the cost.
Intake: Staff is available 24 hours a day. For intake information call 301-340-7482 or 301-340-6510. Referrals to McAuliffe must be authorized by APS.
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