Community-Based Services

The Behavioral Health Juvenile Justice Program works with youth involved in the court system. Behavioral Health receives referrals from Franklin County Juvenile Court staff, such as magistrates or probation officers.

Behavioral Health Juvenile Justice clinicians complete a diagnostic assessment to determine needs and the appropriate level of care. Clinicians provide recommendations to the court, which are considered at disposition (the magistrate’s final ruling). The program also consults with court staff when needed and regularly attends case review team meetings at the Juvenile Detention Center.

What to Expect

• Youth and family will meet with a licensed clinician to complete a diagnostic assessment.
• Assessments are typically done in one session.
• A brief summary of the assessment will be provided to the youth’s magistrate.
• The clinician will link the youth and family with appropriate services.
• The case is then closed. Clinicians are available to answer the family’s questions until they are connected with services.

If a student is experiencing social and/or emotional difficulties, they can get help from a licensed mental health therapist on-site at the student’s school through Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Care Connection.

The Behavioral Health School-Based Program provides treatment and prevention services at a number of Central Ohio Schools.

Care Connection also partners with select elementary schools to deliver the PAX Good Behavior Game®. Elementary schools partnering with Nationwide Children’s Hospital may receive assistance from behavioral health therapists who are trained to serve in the role of a PAX Partner. They provide support for teachers and school administration in effectively delivering the program to students. Learn more about the PAX Program here.

Learn More About Care Connection

The Early Childhood Mental Health program provides services for caregivers/families of children ages birth through kindergarten.

Those services include:

• Parenting groups
• Consultation and training for childcare and preschool teachers
• Treatment for families

Early Childhood Mental Health Treatment

Early Childhood Mental Health Treatment usually includes family therapy.  Most sessions are for both the caregiver and child. Sessions look at problem behaviors, parenting stress, behavioral health symptoms and exposure to trauma.

What To Expect

• You will meet with a licensed therapist who is specialized in Early Childhood Mental Health.
• Treatment starts with an evaluation to develop recommendations. During these two appointments, the therapist will meet with the caregiver alone, and with the caregiver and child together. The therapist will also observe how the caregiver and child interact.
• Weekly therapy appointments are expected and can be with the caregiver and child together and with caregiver alone.

Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)

Raising children isn’t always easy.  Free parenting groups are available in 13 counties in central Ohio. 

The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) gives caregivers new skills to raise confident, healthy children and to build stronger family relationships. It is the most extensively studied, evidence-based parenting program available. A referral for services is not needed.

View Upcoming Triple P Sessions

Consultation and Training

The Early Childhood Mental Health Prevention Team provides free training for educators and behavioral health providers. The team also offers consultation for teachers in child care centers across central Ohio. 

Request a Training

The Ohio Expulsion Prevention Partnership Hotline

The statewide Ohio Preschool Expulsion Prevention Partnership hotline offers free immediate help when a child is facing expulsion in their child care or educational program.

Teachers can call 844-678-ABCs (2227) or complete our online request form. Information will immediately be forwarded to an early childhood consultant in your area.

Family Based Intensive Treatment (FBIT) is an intensive home-based treatment for youth who have had recent hospitalizations due to concerns of harming themselves or others, or who are experiencing chronic or severe mental health concerns. It is used to increase safety and stability at home so that the youth can stay with their family. The program addresses the behavioral health issues that put these youth at risk.

At the same time, it helps with:

• Positive development
• Resilience (the ability to bounce back)
• Healthy family functioning

FBIT treatment uses skill building and cognitive therapy to change unhealthy thinking and behavior.

FBIT services include:

• Individual counseling
• Family therapy
• Case management for youth and family
• Crisis intervention and ongoing safety planning
• Service coordination with other systems
• Youth mental health services
• Linking for referrals and continuing care

What to Expect

• FBIT services are provided in the youth’s home, school and community for three to six months.
• The program works with the youth, family and other people who support the family three to five times per week to decrease symptoms and create a safe and stable home.
• Crisis and prevention services are there for youth and family 24/7.
• The youth and family are active partners in treatment. This is a key factor in maintaining success after leaving the FBIT program.

What Happens Next

• The family will work with their FBIT clinician to schedule three to five sessions each week. Hours for sessions are flexible. Session types, frequency and length are determined on a case-by-case basis to meet the needs of each youth and family.
• The FBIT clinician and family will discuss safety planning across environments (home, school, community) to reduce risk factors and ensure a safe environment for each youth.
• A FBIT team psychiatrist referral can be made, if needed.
• The care plan or next referral will be discussed with the family and other team members to assure sustainability of treatment successes after the program.

The Home Based Team provides parent-based interventions for preschool through elementary school aged children.

The Home Based Team uses Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT is a positive and intensive treatment program that addresses aggressive or disruptive behaviors in children. PCIT works with parents and children together to reinforce positive communication and behaviors, as well as improve social skills. This program also focuses on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship.

What To Expect

• You will meet with a licensed, master’s level therapist.
• A diagnostic and family assessment will be done to help with the focus of treatment.
• A treatment plan will be developed with the family.
• Sessions will be held weekly with the parent and child.
• Parent coaching will be offered.
• School interventions will be coordinated with the parent and school as necessary.
• When appropriate, the clinician will make a referral to a psychiatrist and will work with the psychiatrist.
• Parents are offered 24 hour on call support while their child is in treatment.
• Average length or treatment is usually six to nine months.

The Integrated Family and Systems Treatment (I-FAST) team provides intensive family therapy to patients and their families. Therapy sessions focus on identifying problem behaviors and looking at the actions that encourage those behaviors. The therapist works with the family to develop interventions to change the behavior, gives tasks to family members and monitors their progress.

What To Expect

• You will meet with a licensed, master’s level therapist.
• A diagnostic and family assessment will be done to help with the focus of treatment.
• A treatment plan will be developed with the family.
• The therapist will schedule two to three appointments with members of the family each week. This may include, but is not limited to, extended family members, clergy, teachers and other family supports. Not all appointments will include the child identified as the patient.
• When appropriate, the clinician will make a referral to a psychiatrist and will work with the psychiatrist.
• When there are concerns about a patient’s safety, the clinician will work with the patient and family to develop a safety plan.
• Twenty-four hour on call support is provided to patients and families.
• Average length of treatment is six to nine months.

Treatment for Healthy Alternatives provides counseling for patients with substance abuse concerns. Some of these patients also have mental health concerns.

Levels of Care

The program has two levels of care:

• Outpatient, which meets with patients weekly or bi-weekly
• Integrated Co-occuring Treatment, an intensive level of care, which meets with patients and families in their home and in the community approximately three hours a week

Both programs use motivational interviewing (which helps youth make positive decisions) and cognitive behavioral therapy (which helps change behaviors and thinking).

What To Expect

• Our intake coordinator will gather information to determine which level of care is the best fit.
• You will meet with a licensed therapist who has specialized training in working with patients with substance abuse problems.
• A diagnostic assessment will be completed and a plan for treatment goals will be developed.
• A urine drug screening may be used during treatment.

What Happens Next

• The patient and family will be scheduled for regular appointments with their therapist to work toward meeting the identified goals for therapy.
• A referral may be made to a psychiatrist.
• At the end of the four to six month course of therapy with Integrated Co-occurring Treatment, the patient will be referred to a lower level of care.