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Fast, Responsive Mental Health Care for Individuals in Crisis
Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center’s Urgent Care and Community Based Intensive Treatment (CBIT) programs work together to provide rapid psychiatric access, intensive support, and a better path forward for individuals with complex mental health needs.
A Better Way to Respond to Mental Health Crisis
Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center’s Urgent Care and Community Based Intensive Treatment programs provide rapid psychiatric access and intensive community-based support for individuals with complex mental health needs. Designed to improve follow-up, reduce hospitalization, and increase community stability, this model is helping reshape behavioral health care in rural Pennsylvania.
Urgent Care That Moves Fast
NDTC’s Fast-Track Urgent Psychiatric Care program is designed for individuals experiencing crisis situations as identified by a local emergency room, inpatient psychiatric unit, or crisis team.
Eligible individuals can receive a psychiatric appointment within one business day, helping reduce delays in care and creating a faster, more effective transition from crisis to treatment.
- Appointment within 1 business day
- Reduced risk of readmission
- Less reliance on ER and inpatient care
- More compassionate treatment experience
Why the Fast-Track Model Works
Rapid Access
Patients are evaluated in less than 24 hours, avoiding the long delays that often happen after a behavioral health crisis.
Earlier Intervention
Timely care can help reduce the need for emergency room boarding or inpatient admission by intervening before symptoms escalate.
Lower System Costs
By shifting care away from high-cost hospital settings when appropriate, the model supports a more efficient use of resources.
Better Patient Experience
Patients receive care in a more focused, compassionate setting rather than remaining in the ER for extended periods.
Hospital Relief
The model helps reduce the burden on emergency departments and inpatient psychiatric beds.
What Is Community Based Intensive Treatment (CBIT)?
The Community Based Intensive Treatment (CBIT) model was developed in 2013 to support individuals transitioning from inpatient psychiatric care, state hospital care, or other high levels of care back into their communities.
It was created to address the unique challenges of rural mental health care, where access to intensive services is often limited. CBIT uses in-plan, state-approved services, making it a sustainable and scalable model that improves continuity of care and supports long-term community stability.
What Makes the CBIT Model Unique
Intensive, Team-Based Support
- 24/7/365 crisis availability
- Weekly team huddles for accountability and coordination
- Shared caseload responsibility across the care team
- Multidisciplinary support including psychiatry, nursing, therapy, case management, peer support, and other specialists
Care Built Around Real Life
- Small case management caseloads with an 8:1 client ratio
- Services delivered in vivo, including home, work, and community settings
- Medication management access within 7 and 30 days
- Flexible service duration based on individual needs
- Designed to serve rural communities including Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties
How This Model Changes the Patient Journey
Without Fast-Track Psychiatric Services and CBIT
Patients in crisis often enter the emergency room, wait extended periods for psychiatric consultation or placement, and may remain boarded for days. After discharge, outpatient follow-up may be delayed by weeks, increasing the likelihood of readmission.
With Fast-Track Psychiatric Services and CBIT
Patients can be referred directly for rapid psychiatric follow-up, seen the next business day, evaluated by the CBIT team, and connected to ongoing care and support that helps them remain stable in the community.
Fast access matters. Coordinated follow-up matters. Community stability matters.
Built for Rural Pennsylvania
Mental health care in rural communities comes with real barriers: limited access, fewer intensive programs, and longer delays between crisis and treatment.
NDTC’s Urgent Care and CBIT programs were designed specifically to meet those challenges with a model that is fast, practical, coordinated, and rooted in sustained community integration.
