Who Does ACCESS Serve? ACCESS serves people in Anderson and Cherokee Counties who are in crisis or who need help with ongoing problems caused by mental illness, developmental delays, mental retardation, or substance abuse. Spanish translation and American Sign Language is available.
How much do services cost? People who are "priority population" are charged on an "ability to pay" basis. Medicaid and other insurance will be billed.
What do I do in a crisis? During business hours call 589-9000 in Jacksonville or 723-6136 in Palestine. After hours, call 1-800-621-1693 and leave a number. A trained person will return your call promptly. Face-to-face evaluation is available when needed.
How do I make an appointment? Call during business hours to 589-9000 in Jacksonville or 723-6136 in Palestine to schedule an intake appointment.
Family Education ACCESS informs families about mental conditions, the options for treatment, and the ways to manage problems. Presentations increase community awareness of the needs and hopes of persons with mental illness, developmental delays, mental retardation, or substance abuse.
In Home and Family Support Grant funds aid eligible individuals or their families to purchase services, support, adaptive devices, or architectural modifications necessary to maintain functioning in their own home.
Medication Related Services A physician prescribes the medications a person needs to get better. A nurse (or other qualified person) assesses the effects of medication. Medical staff teach the skills a person needs to safely administer and monitor their medication.
Outreach Outreach activities link persons to community healthcare and support services. The goal is to reach persons who might otherwise not get care because of symptoms of a disorder, economic hardship, homelessness, unfamiliarity with services, lack of transportation, or other barriers.
Residential Services & Supported Living ACCESS operates two ICF-MR homes. Also, residential living for persons with mental retardation is provided through contracts with local providers. People who live in the community receive supports to maintain their independence.
Respite Services Both in-home and out-of-home care are provided to persons when family or caretakers need relief of their responsibilities on a temporary basis.
Skills Maintenance Services People with severe mental illness receive long-term services in day programs which ensure personal well being and reduce the risk of out-of-home placement.
Psychosocial Skills Training Training promotes independent living in the community and improved quality of life. The training takes place in a natural setting and includes work related skills, educational skills, socialization skills, and symptom management.
Service Coordination Service Coordination assists individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and children who are severely emotionally disturbed. Service Coordinators help persons get medical, social, educational, and other services in order to improve their quality of life and their level of community participation. Service coordination activities include screening, assessment, monitoring, and crisis intervention.
Star ServicesYouth ages 0-17 who are delinquent or at-risk of runaway, truancy, homelessness, abuse/neglect, or family conflict receive help with crisis intervention, conflict resolution, skills training, counseling, linkage with resources, and case planning. STAR is funded jointly by ACCESS and by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
Substance Abuse Counseling Adults or teens receive assessment of problems, information about substance abuse, counseling, and referral to treatment resources.
Supported Housing Persons with severe and persistent mental illness choose, get, and keep regular housing, with these supports. Services include funds for rental assistance or sources for affordable housing, in-home training, assistance in finding housing and moving in, and service coordination.
Vocational Services These services assist persons with mental illness or mental retardation to prepare for, find, and maintain employment. The end goal is independent, integrated employment. Job placement, vocational supports, and job coaching are provided in natural community settings. Vocational supports and training for persons with long term needs are provided in a sheltered workshop setting.
