Children's Services work with children and the family unit. Services are primarily provided in the family home or community and vary in intensity, application, and duration depending on the needs of the child and the family. Children's Services are designed through a planning process that mandates the active participation of the family in the child's treatment process.

Program Goals...

• Promote normal development;
• Promote healthy family functioning;
• Support and preserve families;
• Reunite families who may have been separated;
• Reduce the usage of, or shorten the length of stay in the hospital or residential setting.

Services Provided...

• Children's Services are designed to provide intensive services to children and their families within their home and community, including:
• Case Management Services
• Child and Family Therapy
• Child and Family Skill Building
• Crisis Intervention
• Group Therapy
• Parenting Education
• Psychiatric Services
• Respite Services

Children's Services staff is committed to helping families access community resources and to advocate on behalf of families. Credentialed staff work closely with community agencies to assure appropriate interventions and courses of treatment are planned for each child and family.

Often behavioral and emotional concerns can complicate our daily responsibilities, creating additional problems that may, in time, take over one’s life if help is not received. The impact of trauma is another factor that can affect one’s relationships, and reduce one’s ability to cope with stress. This can further challenge overall mental health. The goal of Outpatient Therapy is to focus on solutions and works to help individuals improve their emotional, mental, and social functioning as part of their recovery journey. Services can be provided on a one-to-one basis, with natural supports or family, or in a group setting. The service array is determined by the individual’s expressed wants, needs, and desires, combined with professional clinical guidance.

Professional and confidential services are provided to people of all ages offering affordable, comprehensive, and easily accessible behavioral health care.

Eligibility for Outpatient Therapy is determined by clinical assessment and other standardized assessment tools to establish medical necessity. Length of services will vary in duration based on individual needs. Typical counseling sessions last 45 to 60 minutes. TBHS provides a variety of treatment programs with flexible hours and scheduled that work around your lifestyle needs. Evening appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday.

The Family Support Subsidy (FSS) Program provides financial assistance to families that include a child with severe developmental disabilities. The intent is to help make it possible for children with developmental disabilities to remain with or return to their birth or adoptive families. The program provides a monthly payment of $300.36. Families are able to use this money for special expenses incurred while caring for their child.

Qualifications:

• Child must be younger than 18 years of age and live in the family home in Michigan.
• The family's most recently filed Michigan income tax form must show a taxable income of $60,000 or less.
• The Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team of the local public or intermediate school district must recommend the child for an educational eligibility category of severe cognitive impairment, severe multiple impairment or autism spectrum disorder.
• Children with autism spectrum disorder must be receiving special education services in a program for students with autism spectrum disorder or in a program for students with severe cognitive impairment or severe multiple impairments.

Applications are available at all county community mental health services programs (CMHSPs). Families need to reapply yearly at the time of the child's birthday.

What is the Autism Benefit?

The Medicaid and MI Child Autism Benefit provides intensive programming for children 18 months through 5 years of age with the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Children meeting the following criteria may be eligible for the benefit through TBHS:

∼ Enrolled in Medicaid and MIChild only.

∼ Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis;

∼ Age 18 months through 21 years; and

∼ Tuscola County Resident.

Children and Adults who are uninsured or those with commercial insurance benefits are not eligible through TBHS.

Autism Fact Sheet

Autism Brochure

Family Support Tool Kits