Family-Based Program
Overview | More info | Brochure
In-Home Family-Based Services
Our philosophy is that children and families should remain together in the home. If at all possible, children with severe mental health issues should be treated in their own homes by professionals that can provide the best services to them and to their families.
In order to effectively provide the best services possible, Unity Family Services, Inc. is committed to following the principles of the Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) in the delivery of mental health services. CASSP is a comprehensive system of care for children and adolescents who have, or are at risk of developing, serious emotional disturbance and/or substance use disorders. This program ensures that services are developed in collaboration with the child/adolescent and their family, as well as, the mental health system, school, and any other agencies involved in the child or adolescent’s life.
What are Family-Based Services?
The primary purpose of the Family-Based Program is to reduce the need for out-of-home placements, particularly, inpatient hospitalizations, for children with mental health diagnoses. To accomplish this, the program provides a range of intensive short-term services that will help families better manage problems.
The program’s four main objectives are to:
- Assess the family unit by identifying its strengths and needs.
- Provide flexible and individualized treatment/support to meet goals set by the family, child, and treatment team.
- Integrate our programming with other services the family may already be receiving.
- Help the family develop a network of natural supports and community resources to provide long-term support after our services end.
Who can receive Family-Based Services?
There are four main eligibility criteria:
- The child or adolescent has a mental illness or emotional disturbance and is at risk of out-of-home placement, such as; in-patient psychiatric care, residential, or foster care.
- The child is typically involved in one or more of the child-serving systems.
- A physician or licensed psychologist must recommend Family-Based mental health services prior to the start of services.
- At least one adult member of the child’s household must agree to actively participate. The family must be agreeable and available for frequent home visits.
What services are included in Family-Based?
The Family-Based Program is a comprehensive service that can reduce or eliminate the need for additional outside services such as crisis intervention, individual/family therapy, or case management.
Family-Based services are team delivered. The team provides a variety of treatment strategies including cognitive-behavior therapy, play therapy, recreational therapy, and family therapy. In addition to the services listed below, the treatment team can also help children and their families acquire skills such as positive parenting, assertiveness, anger management, communication, sensitivity training, and coping skills.
Services offered include:
- Crisis Intervention: A treatment team works with the family to design and implement a crisis/safety plan and, since at least one of the team members will be on-call at all times, families will have constant, direct access to their team; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Case Management: The treatment team serves as the family’s case manager. As such, the treatment team’s responsibilities include assessment, planning, service linkage, advocacy, procuring goods and services, and referrals.
- Therapeutic Intervention: The program’s clinical model is based on structural family therapy theory and practice. Our mental health professionals are required to attend a three-year training program in this model and, they receive continual clinical supervision and consultation.
- Family Support Services: Family support services are activities that family members and staff engage in for the purpose of strengthening and supporting the family system. The activities aim to help the family meet basic needs and to provide opportunities and resources for skill development, respite, learning, and advocacy. Funds are available for family assistance.
- Advocacy: Unity Family Services as a program will act as an advocate and will provide consultation and assistance to Intermediate Units, schools and community agencies to provide coordinated individual and family service plans. We will also assist you in obtaining prompt treatment for medication and medication monitoring for your child.
What does the service cost?
There is no cost to families who participate in this service. The Family-Based service is reimbursable by Medical Assistance. If your family does not receive Medical Assistance, waivers are available through state loophole procedures with cooperating physicians and evaluators.
When do we meet with our treatment team?
Our treatment team will meet with your child and family at your convenience. The teams are available for day, evening and weekend appointments.
Click here to view our Family Based brochure!