Mental Health Services

How can I get mental health services?

You can get mental health services at no cost to you through your health insurance. When you are in foster care, you will have Medicaid, which is a government run health insurance program. Medicaid will pay for you to have mental health services and can sometimes also offer help with transportation.

There are many therapies, services, and supports available to you to help you deal with or prevent mental health conditions. It may be helpful for you to talk to a therapist once a week, or to get an assessment to find out the best type of therapy or mental health care that is right for you. Talk to your case manager, your Guardian ad litem or attorney if you have one, and the judge if you would like to receive mental health treatment.

What Are CBHAs?

CBHA stands for “Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessments”. These are assessments that take a complete look at all of your needs and history. This includes physical health and medical history, mental health, education history, and more. CBHAs are not confidential (private) which means the judge and other parties such as your case manager, guardian ad litem, your attorney, and parents can view the report.

Why Are They Done?

CBHAs are used to help guide services you might need. The services that the CBHA says you need will be put into your case plan. An example of a service you might need could be dental care, a tutor for math, or a therapist to talk to about all of the changes you are going through being in foster care.

Who Does the CBHA?

CBHAs must be done by a licensed mental health counselor or under the supervision of a licensed counselor. That means your regular medical doctor cannot perform a CBHA. If you have a disability or other special needs someone with experience in that field should be involved in completing the CBHA.

When do I get a CBHA done?

All children who are taken into state custody and placed in a licensed placement are supposed to have a CBHA performed within 30 days. Children who go to relatives or non-relative placement do not always have a CBHA completed but they may still be able to have one done. If you are enrolled in Medicaid and in foster care, you may have a CBHA done once every 12 months.

What other mental health services may be available?

ABA therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, substance abuse services, art therapy and equine therapy are all therapies generally offered through your health insurance.

How can I sign up for individual or group therapy?

Under your insurance, you are able to sign up for an individual therapy session with a mental health professional. An individual therapy session would have you meet by yourself with a mental health professional. Group therapy sessions may be available to you through your health insurance in addition to individual therapy sessions. Group therapy sessions would have you meet with in a group with a mental health professional.  

How can I get help for substance abuse?

Your health insurance may provide substance abuse treatment. Substance abuse treatment is treatment to help you recover from substance abuse disorders. Short-term residential treatment services or intensive outpatient program may be approved by your health care provider for treatment from substance abuse disorders.

What additional mental health benefits may I get?

Your health insurance may provide transportation benefits. This means for any non-emergency transportation for medical services you may ride in a bus, van, taxi or other vehicle to a medical appointment if you do not have transportation. You may also get transportation services to non-medical appointments or activities. This includes shopping trips, social events, mentoring or volunteering events.

You may also be able to get a comfort pack through your health insurance. The comfort pack has many items that may make entering into a foster home easier. The comfort pack has items such as a blanket, journal and pen, hygiene supplies, educational books and games, soft bear, stress ball, fidget spinner or earbuds. You do not need prior approval to receive the comfort pack.

Through your health insurance you may be able to get a Joy for All Battery Operated Plus Companion Pet. The pet can bring you comfort, companionship and fun. Contact your Care Manager to get a companion pet. You are able to get one pet per member.

You may be able to get a sensory kit. A Sensory support kit is tailored to the developmental and diagnosis needs and is available to you if you are three years or older. To see if you can get a sensory kit, you will need to contact your Care Manager.