Community Based Services for Youth
Community Based Services for Youth (CBS) are services designed to meet the individual needs of Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) children and youth who experience special challenges with mental and behavioral health. For SED children, the mental health issues experienced are significant enough to disrupt their ability to function socially, academically and/or emotionally.
Four County Mental Health Center’s system of care provides educational opportunities and therapeutic programming that is available for children in their homes and in the community. We practice a strengths-based model of care and believe that it is through the child and family’s strengths that they are able to improve their mental health and work through behavioral challenges.
Staff within the CBS department are specially trained to work with children with mental health needs. We have early intervention and prevention programming, as well as the core services within CBS to serve children and their families.
Parents, families, educators, physicians, mental health professionals and community agencies are encouraged to contact Four County to discuss the appropriate mental health services for a particular child.
Case Management – Individualized Services for Children and Youth
The Children’s Case Management program provides individualized mental health services to children and adolescents who are designated as Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) and experience significant disruptions socially, academically, and emotionally. Case management builds upon the strengths of each child, their family and the family’s community to provide an array of support and services.
The HCBS/SED Waiver is designed for the top 10% of children in the state of Kansas at risk for being removed from their homes or hospitalized due to severe emotional and behavioral difficulties. The SED Waiver is based on the financial and clinical eligibility of the child, while providing a state medical card and the ability to access extensive mental health services to help the child remain in his/her home and community. These services include, but are not limited to,
- Case management
- Individual and family therapy
- Psychiatric/medication management
- Psychosocial group
- Attendant care
- Parent Support
- Independent living skills training
- Respite and wraparound facilitation
These programs are therapeutic in nature, with the goal of helping SED youth develop the social and interpersonal skills necessary for success in his/her home, school and community. Our main objective is to reintegrate youth back into community activities, no longer needing the support of our program.
Children/Youth Attendant Care
The Community Based Services Attendant Care Program provides individualized services to SED children and adolescents, while promoting their growth and development. Attendant care services can be provided in a child’s home and community. The primary goal of this service is to provide direct support, supervision and mentoring to youth, while facilitating their progress toward established treatment goals.
Quest Program
The Quest after-school program is a psychosocial rehabilitation program for SED children involved in CBS services who meet specific criteria and a level of care.
Parent Education
The Parent Education Program provides parent education classes covering a wide range of topics and using an evidenced-based curriculum. Classes are offered on continuous rotation in Chautauqua, Elk, Montgomery, Wilson and Cowley counties.
Our mission is to help parents, grandparents, foster parents, teachers, and child care providers to identify developmental patterns, improve interactions, and add new skills to their current parenting practices. It is our hope that parenting classes will help strengthen the mental and physical wellness of both the participants and the children they impact.
Classes are held at a variety of times during the month, including day and evening classes. To see the most current schedule of parenting classes, visit any of the Four County Mental Health Center locations, contact us, or check our Community Calendar. Classes are open to anyone in the community free of charge, with the exception of the court-ordered class “Parenting Through Divorce.”
Mental Health Services for Early Childhood
“Project Before Family” Case Management
“Project Before Family” case management provides intensive services to prenatal mothers and caregivers with children ages 0-5. The goal is to strengthen the caregiver-child bond. Family case managers also can assist and support families in accessing other community resources such as prenatal and medical care, employment, education, housing, and support for daily living needs. Parent support meetings and play groups are offered monthly. Education on childhood development is emphasized, and developmental and emotional screenings are included.
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program (ECMHC)
ECMHC offers daycare centers and preschools a way to provide on-site mental health consultations for children ages 0-5. The consultant can assist the staff in developing intervention plans. ECMHC also provides outreach services to parents to strengthen family relationships and link them to additional community resources. Through the ECMHC program, children’s mental health needs are addressed – allowing them to be successful in their home environment and/or their childcare/education setting.
My Family
A referral source to help families gain access to services for their children within the community.
Being a new parent is an amazing and often challenging experience. If you have a child under five, and live in Montgomery or Wilson County Kansas, there’s good news—My Family is a free resource giving busy parents like you information, support, and encouragement needed to help your baby grow up to be happy and healthy. Sometimes a little extra help makes a big difference. Find out more by calling 620-330-4850 or 620-926-1454.