Children/Families

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA is an approach aimed at increasing functional communication, language, play, social skills, imitation, and self-care tasks in-home or center-based settings. ABA is a Medicaid and MI Child benefit for individuals aged 18 months to 21 years with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and the developmental skills to participate in covered interventions.

What is BFit?

Bfit is a program designed to promote fitness, healthy eating, and overall well-being for children. The program includes exercise sessions, nutrition education (with support from a registered dietitian), and health education to help children improve their fitness and build healthy lifestyle habits. Children with existing health concerns will be prioritized. Participation requires clearance from the child’s healthcare provider to ensure a safe and beneficial experience.

What is Case Management Services?

Children's Case Management Services supports children and families by offering assessment, planning, advocacy, and care coordination. Case managers work closely with families to link them to essential health or social services, financial assistance, education, social and other community resources to promote the well-being and success of children.

What is Children's Waiver?

The Children’s Waiver supports children with intellectual/developmental disabilities, enhancing Medicaid services from birth through age 18. It provides Medicaid coverage to children who otherwise would be ineligible due to parental income. Without the provision of the waiver, the child would require an out-of-home placement due to the intensity of the child’s care needs, or the child may currently reside in a facility but could return home with appropriate community support.

What is Early Childhood Court?

Early Childhood Court is a specialized program designed to support families with children aged 0-3 involved in the child welfare system. The program focuses on fostering strong, healthy relationships and addressing challenges such as parenting stress, trauma, and substance use. Through collaboration with a dedicated team of judges, social workers, therapists, and family support specialists, families receive the guidance and resources needed to build a safe and stable home environment. The ultimate goal is to ensure the well-being of young children by helping families create a foundation for lifelong stability and connection.

What is Family Support?

The Family Support program provides case management, clinical and mental health assistant support services for families and their children who are diagnosed with a developmental disability.

What is Home-Based Program?

Home-based services provide intensive support to children with serious emotional disturbances and their families, addressing complex needs with a range of mental health services. Treatment focuses on the child and family unit, using evidence-based approaches such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent Management Training, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, and Infant Mental Health practices for children 0-3.

What is Infant Mental Health?

Infant Mental Health is a home-based program designed to support parents and children (from pregnancy to age 3) in building strong, healthy relationships. It focuses on helping families facing challenges, such as stress, mental health concerns, or worries about their child’s social/emotional health. This program is offered for families who are eligible for Medicaid and is provided in the home by trained professionals who visit weekly. They work with parents and caregivers to strengthen parenting skills, support children’s mental health, and encourage nurturing caregiving.

What is Intensive Care Coordination with Wraparound Services?

ICCW is a community- and strength-based planning process that promotes family preservation and independence. A Wraparound Coordinator facilitates a Child and Family Team, including service providers and personal supports, to create a tailored treatment plan. This approach ensures seamless interagency coordination to meet the unique needs of children and families. Collaboration with the Wraparound Community Team, consisting of key community agency representatives, strengthens resource access and support for families in ICCW.

What is Nursing Services?

Our team of Registered Nurses and Medical Assistants supports prescribers and coordinates care with SCCCMH staff and community providers. Services include medication administration, including, medication management, assistance with refills, and support in obtaining financial aid for medications. The team provides health education, medication consent guidance, and assessments. They coordinate with SCCCMH programs and community providers for needs like drug screens, vital sign monitoring, and specialized medication programs. They also facilitate prior authorizations and respond to on-site medical emergencies.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapists (OT) evaluate and treat issues related to physical, sensory processing, and cognitive skills used in the home and community. OTs use specialized techniques, equipment, and modifications, based on need, to assist individuals to safely function to their fullest capacity. Services are completed through direct treatment, consultation, and training with the individual, families, and caregivers.

What is Outpatient Program?

The outpatient program provides therapy 1-2 times per week to children and their families. This may include individual, family, and/or group therapy.

What is Parent Support Partner Services?

A Parent Support Partner provides parents/caregivers with empowerment and hope through direct support from someone with shared experiences. Services include skill building on systems navigation, self-care, advocacy, local resources, and natural supports.

What is Respite Services?

Respite care provides temporary relief for parents and unpaid family caregivers by offering professional support for individuals with severe mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, or intellectual/developmental disabilities. This service allows caregivers to take time for themselves or attend to other responsibilities, knowing their loved one is in the care of trained and qualified staff. Respite care is offered under Medicaid health plans.

What is Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED) Waiver?

The SED Waiver supports children with serious emotional disturbances who meet criteria for or are at risk of in-patient psychiatric hospitalization. This waiver provides Medicaid coverage and extends Medicaid coverage to children who, without the waiver, would be ineligible for covered in-patient care while residing with their birth or adoptive families.

What is Youth Peer Support Services?

Youth peer support is a peer-delivered service designed to support youth with serious emotional disturbance through shared activities and interventions in the form of direct support, information sharing, and skill building. The goals of youth peer support include building a strong relationship based on mutual respect and strategic self-disclosure to increase hope, confidence, self-advocacy skills, and decision-making abilities.