children


Children's Emergency Services Response Hotline:
1-800-259-9576
The Area Mental Health Center 800 Response Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with information regarding child and adolescent emergency services. We provide information and assistance in Emergency Screenings, Acute Emergency Services, Response Team Activation, Family Crisis Services, and referral to community resources.


Child Case Management
Child Case Management is a service provided to children who are severely emotionally disturbed (SED) as determined by a qualified mental health provider. A child case manager works with the child and the family in individual and group settings. The following are examples of child case management services:

  • Wraparound Team
  • Targeted Case Management
  • Psychosocial Groups
  • Summer Activities
  • SED Waiver
  • School Liaison Services
  • Attendant Care
  • Crisis Services


Child Case Managers
Child Case Managers help families find, coordinate, and maintain services that are needed to keep their child at home. Child Case Managers have regular contact with families. They are available to meet with other persons involved in the childŐs life, such as, medical doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, court officers or school officials. Whenever families need additional services or have questions regarding their childŐs care, Child Case Managers should be their first contact.


Targeted Case Management
Child case managers work with the child and family to navigate the mental health system and to help them access needed services to meet specific treatment goals.


Psychosocial Groups
Psychosocial Groups, held after school, include 2-8 peers along with child case managers. Psychosocial Groups work on specific goals targeted in individual treatment plans. The groups cover topics such as: social and coping skills; problem solving; self care; enhancing personal relationships; and appropriate use of leisure time.


Summer Activities
Children work on specific individual treatment plan goals while participating in social activities.


SED Waiver
Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Children who may be in need of hospitalization may qualify for "Waiver" services to help keep them at home and in the community. These services include:

  • Wraparound Meetings
  • Individual Living Skills
  • Parent Support Specialist
  • Respite Care


Wraparound Team
The Wraparound Team is developed by the family with assistance from the case manager. Teams include people such as: parents and child, teacher, case manger, therapist, pastor, grandparents, close friends, or any one who the family feels is a significant "helper" in their life. This team develops the individual goals for the childŐs treatment plan.


Individual Living Skills
This case management is focused on teaching everyday life skills. The child is taught household budgeting, resume development, tax form completion, how to search for jobs, and so forth.


Parent Support Specialist
Parent Support Specialists are professionals who are available as a resource from "someone whoŐs been there." Their job is to assist the family with understanding the mental health system, wraparounds, IEP/504 process, and their rights.


Respite Care
Respite Care was designed to keep families in tact. The intent is to keep the child out of the hospital. This service can be accessed through the childŐs case manager.


The School Liaison
The Liaison is the communication link between AMHC and school to assure that children with severe emotional disturbance are able to succeed.


Attendant Care
This service is one-on-one supervision of children who are at risk for psychiatric hospitalization. Parents can access this service through their case manager when they need a break.


Crisis Services
AMHC crisis services are staffed by mental health professionals and are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This service can be accessed by calling the center location closest to you.


Therapists
Therapists are a part of the total treatment team. Therapists utilize individual and family therapy to help children and adolescents reach their individual treatment goals.


Medication Services
Psychiatrists and ARNP's are available at each location to make sure medication needs of children are met. These medical professionals prescribe and monitor medication needs. They are part of the total treatment team.