Family Based Services
Goal:
The goal of Family-Based Services is to prevent out-of-home placements such as Foster Care, Residential Treatment Facilities, or Inpatient Hospitalizations.  Family Based can also be used to reunite families following such placements.
Locations:		Available To:
Home School Community Locations Services are offered in Bradford, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties		Children Adolescents Families

Description:

The Family-Based Mental Health Services (FBMHS) program provides intense therapeutic interventions and support services to the child and family to empower the family to care for their child with emotional disturbance,  mental health issues, or trauma.   The guiding principle of Family-Based Mental Health Services is that children grow up best in their own homes.  Consequently, there is an emphasis upon families as partners and resources in treatment planning and in ongoing treatment.  Since children and families do not live in isolation, services are oriented to assisting children in receiving maximum benefit from school and community activities, and helping families identify and access community resources.  When families are involved with two or more child-serving agencies, the program seeks to ensure coordination of services among those agencies. Services can be provided in the family's home, school, and community and are provided by an assigned FBMHS team.  A FBMHS team is composed of a Mental Health Professional and a Mental Health Worker who are highly trained in many treatments such as structural family therapy, behavior modification, and sexual abuse treatments.

Services Provided:

A comprehensive assessment of strengths and needs is completed with the child or adolescent and his or her family's assistance.  With written consent, information is also gathered from other agencies providing services to the family.  The FBMHS teams, with the child and family, then work together to develop a treatment plan to meet the child's and family's needs. The child, family, and therapist work together to identify strategies as basic as arranging for babysitting services, or as complex as gradual exposure therapies and obtaining and appropriate school placement for the child.  Since the program operates from an underlying commitment to a "whatever it takes" philosophy, treatment plans are highly individualized and tailored to each child and family's unique situation. Family members are expected to actively participate in assessment, treatment planning, development of treatment goals, and ongoing review of progress. Can arrange family support such as respite care and participation in parent and sibling support groups Skill development (e.g., behavior modification, parenting, problem solving, coping skills, life skills). Supportive services (e.g., transportation, recreation). Individual and family therapy, behavior modification, and sexual abuse treatments. Services can be provided during non-traditional business hours such as evenings and weekends, all at the convenience of the family. 24/7 Crisis intervention and stabilization services are provided. Coordination and collaboration with all other service systems involved. Referrals to other community services.

Requirements:

Child or Adolescent ages 5-21 with a mental health diagnosis. PA Access Card There are no fees to families who participate in the FBMHS program as long as the child is enrolled with Medical Assistance.  This service is reimbursable by Medical Assistance.

How to Access Program:

Please contact our Intake department at (888)322-1682 or locally at (570)265-0100.