Cornerstone Montgomery’s Residential Crisis Services are community based, alternatives to inpatient hospitalization for people in acute psychiatric crisis. 24 hour counseling and crisis stabilization residence located in subur­ban single-family neighborhoods, these programs provide short-term interven­tions on referral. The programs seek to reduce unnecessary admissions to inpatient mental health facilities. Clients are encouraged to participate in structured groups, individual counseling, and crisis stabilization services. It is the intent of the program to enable client’s to go to work, see family and participate in regular therapeutic treatment in order to reduce the disruption to their already disrupted life that their crisis has caused. The length of stay at these programs averages 10 days and serves eligible individuals throughout Montgomery County. The program 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 the treatment and cost effectiveness of the program with that of a psychiatric ward of a local hospital. The study demonstrated that the Residential Crisis Services hospital alternative is equally effective treatment at less than one-third of the cost.