Early Intervention & Mental Health Services Guide and Supplement to Service Map
Introduction
Every child grows and changes at his or her own pace, but sometimes children have delays in reaching milestones, experience problems in learning, or exhibit behaviors that cause disruption to their lives.
If you have concerns about your child, or if your child has been referred for services, you may be feeling guilty, worried, and unsure of the future. You aren’t alone; developmental and emotional concerns are more common than most people realize, and no one is to blame. Most importantly, help is available for children, as well as their parents and families. In fact, when parents take advantage of services to help themselves as they help their child, the entire family benefits.
As you explore the service map, be an informed consumer. Actively engage in the process, ask questions, learn all you can, and advocate for your child. Supportive services, advocacy groups and other resources can offer comfort, advice and encouragement. Most times, children qualify for services at no cost, regardless of family income or insurance status.
You’re off to a good start, and it’s important to keep moving forward. Remember, prompt attention to any concern can prevent complications and reduce risk of long-term difficulties. Children who get the help they need can go on to live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives.
Important to Know
A physical exam is always a good place to start when parents have concerns about their child. It will rule out any conditions that may be causing a child’s symptoms.
Parents know their children best. Even if others don’t share your concerns, you may call to find out about services in this map. Making a call will not obligate you to use any service.
Lycoming/Clinton Early Intervention services are free for all eligible children ages birth to 3 years.
Children aged 3-5 may be eligible for Preschool Early Intervention through the Blast IU #17 or Clinton IU #10.
In Pennsylvania, most children under age 18 with serious emotional and behavioral disturbances qualify for free services through Medical Assistance, regardless of family income or insurance status. For more information, go to www.dpw.state.pa.
Some children’s services, supports, or accommodations are available through the school system. If a child is still in school and 21 or younger, services may be available.
When seeking these services for your child, keep other systems, such as the child’s school or your pediatrician, informed. Lycoming-Clinton JOINDER’s philosophy is that individuals and families get the best care when systems share resources and work together.
What to expect when you (or other person) calls Lycoming/Clinton Infant/Toddler Early Intervention
You will be asked to provide basic demographic information about the child and family, and asked for information about the primary concerns. The family will be assigned a service coordinator who will be in touch within one week to schedule an intake appointment at your home.
Within 45 days of the initial phone call, your child will receive a developmental evaluation at no cost to determine eligibility. If your child is eligible for Early Intervention services, an individualized family service plan (IFSP) will be developed and the child will be referred for services to be delivered in your home or the community.
Explanation of Lycoming/Clinton County Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Services and Supports
Early Intervention provides free services and supports to families with infants and toddlers and young children who have developmental delays, and may begin at birth. With the family’s consent, anyone, such as a doctor, caregiver, teacher or parent, can make a referral. Early Intervention can help young children acquire the skills they need to grow into happy and healthy members of the community.
These services build on resources already in place. Frequency of services is determined by outcome goals set by the Early Intervention team. This team is led by the family, and may include all the professionals working with the child and family. The supports available include information on how children develop, and ideas for how the family can help their child learn and grow. A child may be eligible for services in one or more of the following areas:
Adaptive – self-help skills, such as dressing or feeding
Cognitive – thinking skills, including the ability to absorb, process and understand information
Communicative – receptive and expressive language, including understanding what is being said,
following directions, and making needs known to others
Physical – gross motor, fine motor, vision and hearing, motor planning, and sensory integration
Social and Emotional – interacting with children, adults and the environment
Children aged 3 to 5 may be eligible for Preschool Early Intervention
Eligible children aged 3 to 5 receive Early Intervention through the Department of Education. If you think your preschool-aged child has a delay, contact the Blast IU #17 at 570-323-8561 or Clinton County IU #10 at 1-800- 982-3375 to inquire about an evaluation.
What to expect when you call a mental health service provider listed on the service map
Mental health service providers are required to offer an appointment within 7 days of a request. You may be asked if you have medical assistance, which will cover the cost of these services. The provider will be able to assist you in obtaining this. If your child does not yet have a diagnosis, ask the provider to help you with this first step. Both the parent and the child need to be present for the assessment appointment. Once the intake assessment is completed, a recommendation for a level of care is made. See the explanation of these levels of care below.
Explanation of Mental Health Services/Levels of Care
Outpatient Counseling – Counseling services for children, adolescents, and families provided through an agency.
Partial Hospitalization – A daytime program that provides individual and group counseling as well as medication monitoring. The Intermediate Unit can also provide education at these programs.
Family Based Mental Health Services – Intensive in-home services, usually several hours per week, for up to 32 weeks. Family therapy focused, this service is used to divert children from higher level of treatment or to assist their adjustment to lower level of treatment.
Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS): are interventions and supports for a children, youth or young adults under the age of 21 with mental, emotional or behavioral health needs. They can be provided in the home, school or other community setting. The following services are available:
Behavior Consultation (BC) Services (formerly BSC): BC services include assessment of a child’s, youth’s or young adult’s needs and development of an Individualized Treatment Plan, as well as coordination with other service providers involved with the child and family.
Mobile Therapy (MT) Services: MT services provide therapy to help a child, youth, or young adult process emotional difficulties, trauma and other behavioral health problems.
Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Services (formerly TSS): BHT services work with the family and those involved in the child’s life to implement the Individual Treatment Plan.
Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) – Delivered over a period of 4-6 months in homes, neighborhoods, schools and communities by master’s level professionals or experienced bachelor’s level professionals with low case loads. A crucial aspect is the emphasis on promoting behavioral change in the youth’s natural environment.
Community Residential Rehabilitation (CRR Host Home) – Youth who reside in a CRR Host Home are recovering from a serious mental illness, which may include significant safety or behavioral symptoms; and the family or caretakers are unable to provide the structure, support and consistency necessary for the child’s growth and healing. Once the youth and family have shown improvement and stability, they will be reunited to work towards recovery.
Residential Treatment Facility – A temporary residence for youth with severe emotional and behavioral problems. Doctors, therapists, social workers, and childcare workers give care and treatment; families are encouraged to be involved.
Inpatient Hospitalization – Short-term, individualized psychiatric hospital stays for the acute stage of mental illness or behavioral difficulties.
Case Management – A case manager may be assigned to help individuals with emotional disturbances obtain and coordinate resources, services and supports.