Chautauqua Healthcare Services employs Emergency Services staff who provide face-to-face unscheduled emergency screening and assessment twenty-four hours per day to the citizens of Walton County of any age who are in crisis.

These services are provided by trained screeners who are familiar with Baker/Marchman Act procedures, as well as the referring process for those not considered to be a danger to themselves or others.  These services seek to provide speedy assessment and immediate placement/ referral to facilitate the client's return to the optimal level of functioning in the shortest time possible.

Emergency Professional Assessment Services may be accessed at the request of local Law Enforcement, Health Care providers, Healthmark Regional Medical Center or any individual citizen when someone is believed to be in immediate crisis by endangering themselves or others.

This access may come through Help Line, walk-in, or the general phone line.  During working hours Emergency Services personnel will provide face-to-face screening, referrals and dispositions.  Screenings and referrals after hours are conducted by the on-call professional back-up for the Help Line.