Family Based Mental Health Services (FBMHS)
Family Based Mental Health Services are designed to provide community based therapy and support services to children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. FBMHS provides therapy in a family’s home by a two-person team under the supervision of a Program Director.
The goal of the program is to enhance parents’ feelings of empowerment and self-efficiency so they can help themselves and their children become psychologically and financially self-sufficient. The function of FBMHS is to assist families with maintaining their child in the home rather than in a psychiatric or residential facility.
Family members are encouraged to actively participate in assessment, treatment planning, development of treatment goals, and ongoing review of progress. The child, family and FBMHS team work together to develop a plan that is individualized and designed to fit each family’s unique situation.
What Services Are Provided?
Four main components to the FBMHS program are family therapy, case management, emergency crisis intervention, and family support services. Family therapy involves working to define the family’s goals and the team and family can gain understanding, utilize strategies and interventions, and discover ways to meet the family’s needs. “Family” therapy can also include meeting with individual family members to meet these goals. Case Management means working with other service agencies involved with the family and advocacy with these systems. It also includes connecting families with additional resources and services to meet their needs. Emergency crisis intervention is available through 24 hour/7 day emergency on-call to assist families in managing crisis situations in ways to decrease dangerous situations. Family support and stabilization services is part of the program that can include assisting financially in meeting specific needs of the family as well as funding additional or creative methods of working with the family.
Who is Eligible?
The identified child must be under 21 years of age. At least one parent or guardian must be willing to be an active participant in the program. The child and family must be experiencing difficulties serious enough to warrant intensive intervention by FBMHS. If the situation meets the criteria for the program, a team will conduct an initial child/family assessment and complete the necessary documents to gain approval for FBMHS services.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are no fees to families who participate in the Family Based Mental Health Services. The child, however, must be on Medical Assistance. Should a psychological or psychiatric evaluation be needed, C.F.F. will assist the family to obtain an appointment. The evaluation is generally covered by Medical Assistance, County funding, or private third party insurance.
How is the Family Referred?
Anyone can make a referral to FBMHS. If you have any questions about the program or would like to discuss a potential referral, please contact a Program Director at one of the following locations:
- Bucks-Mont Office (Hatboro): 215-957-9771
- Ches-Mont Office (Valley Forge): 610-650-7750
