School-Based Counseling Services
This is a clinical program that enhances traditional guidance programs in schools. For schools, a primary goal of this service is to reduce barriers to learning. For example, if a student is struggling with a mental health diagnosis, or living in a chaotic home with domestic violence or substance abuse issues, a KBH clinician is in the school to help them develop the skills needed to be successful in school and in life. Many of these students cannot get services in one of the KBH clinics due to a parent’s inability to transport them or because of their own problems.
On any given day, in the schools with which KBH contracts, credentialed KBH counselors can be found dealing with the results of domestic violence, substance abuse, sex abuse or depression.
Children’s Home & Community-Based Treatment (HCT)
HCT is a MaineCare-funded service in which a Behavioral Health Professional provides an intensive, time-limited home and community-based intervention and treatment services for children and families experiencing conflict. Behaviors and issues addressed through HCT:
Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
MST is a home-based therapeutic method of working to identify, support and strengthen the family’s skills and resources to meet the needs of the child and family. This evidence-based technique is designed to reduce out-of-home placements through the use of intensive in-home and community-based interventions.
MST addresses serious issues that, if unresolved, could lead to a child’s removal from the home. MST is successful because it looks at known causes of a child’s concerns, including family, friends, school and the community. It involves the whole family as partners, and takes place where the child lives, goes to school and participates in his/her community.
MST increases the chances of “finding the fit” for your child and you. It provides positive, clear treatment focused on strengths, actions and the “here and now.”
Services are possible if the child is school-aged (12-17.5 years of age for traditional MST and 10-17.5 years of age for MSTPSB), has an identified mental health diagnosis, has an imminent risk of being removed from the home and the services will help the family stay together. At least one adult must participate, and other services must have been tried without immediate success.
Home-based services will help in dealing with school systems, the courts and other agencies that give your family services. Referrals come from Juvenile Community Corrections Officers, Children’s Case Management and residential program providers, Maine DHHS workers, school employees, parents, medical providers, primary care physicians, therapists, Intensive Temporary Residential Treatment contacts and hospitals.
