By Jeremy Olson

Star Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS — Twin Cities pediatric organizations are teaming up to prevent children in mental health crises from getting stuck in emergency rooms, a lose-lose-lose problem that hurts the kids, clogs up ER beds and wastes money.

The Washburn Center for Children announced last week it has hired an acute response therapist who will go to Children’s Minnesota ERs in Minneapolis and St. Paul to work with families in such crisis situations.

| MORE: How to assess pediatric mental health emergencies

Children’s ERs “ boarded ” about 1,200 children last year, sometimes for days or weeks, because there was no space for them in mental health treatment centers, and their families didn’t feel equipped to take them home.

The new therapist will provide direct co

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