Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are the children in the program?
Day Treatment Counseling Services are available for school age children, from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
How much time is involved?
Day Treatment Counseling services may be tailored to suit the needs of your child. Medicaid requires a minimum of two interventions per day, including group therapy and individual therapy. Counselors will be available on site to assist your child in the case of an emergency or crisis situation. The counselors will be housed on site at each school and available throughout the school day and week. Counselors will make contact with parents or guardians at least once per week, ideally with one face to face contact per month.
How will I be involved in the program?
An initial assessment interview will take place involving you and your child. An Individual Service Plan will be completed with the treatment team (parents, child, teachers, aides, school counselors, etc.) within the first 30 days of treatment and every 90 days thereafter. Your child's day treatment counselor will make at least one contact with you per week, and ideally one face to face contact per month.
Will this affect other services already received by our family?
Day treatment counseling services can take place alongside Individual therapy, in home counseling services, and medication management. Medicaid will fund any of these services concurrently with Day Treatment Counseling (although Medicaid will not fund Individual and In Home Therapy concurrently). We aim to include other providers in your child's treatment team.
If I choose not to participate in the program, will this negatively affect my child?
We would like to serve you and your child through our day treatment counseling program. However, participation in this program is voluntary and if you opt not to participate in the program it will have no negative affects on you or your child.
What measures are taken to protect the confidentiality of my child and family?
Our counselors are bound by HIPAA and Civil Rights Laws to keep your information confidential. Release forms signed by you are necessary to release or gain any information regarding you or your child from other agencies (school system, therapists, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Social Services, etc.). Our counselors are mandated reporters, which means that if a counselor suspects your child is being abused or neglected they are mandated to file a claim with Child Protective Services. Our counselors are also required to report any threats of suicide or homicide to the necessary authorities. Your child's protected health information (PHI) will be kept in a chart in a locked file cabinet on school grounds while the case is active. After your child is discharged from services, your child's chart will be stored in a locked file cabinet at our main office as required by law for at least 10 years after you child's 18th birthday.
What happens if things aren't working out?
Participation in Day Treatment Counseling Services is voluntary. As such, if you decide at any time that these services are not beneficial to your child you may remove your child from the program. Please feel free to discuss any concerns you may have regarding services with your child's counselor or the program services manager, Mary Hawkins.
What services will be provided to my child and family?
If you choose to participate in services, your child will receive an initial assessment, including a social history and diagnostic impression, in order to participate in the program. You and your child will also receive an Individual Service Plan developed within 30 days of initiation of services to be reviewed every 90 days thereafter. Day Treatment Counseling Services include both individual and group therapy to address many issues tailored to address their specific needs. Some examples of these topics include: anger management, relaxation techniques, therapeutic redirection in the classroom, substance abuse education, social skills, and independent living skills.
Will it cost me anything?
This program will be of no cost to you or your family. This program is Medicaid funded. If you do not currently have or qualify for Medicaid, the school system has agreed to provide funding necessary to provide this service to your child and family.
Why did the counselor request my insurance information?
Your insurance type and number must be kept on file on the Emergency Medical Services form in the case that there is an emergency during services. If you receive insurance other than Medicaid, your insurance will not be billed for services and you will not be responsible for any co-pays or other fees.
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