The Youth & Family Program provides intensive, in-home, family therapy and related services to children and adolescents as well as their families. This program is designed to keep children/adolescents within the family setting. It strives to address the needs of all family members as they relate to the child or adolescent.

These services are intended to meet the needs of the child or youth with identified behavioral and/or emotional treatment needs that has significant involvement with multiple child serving systems.  The child or youth is also likely at risk of out of home placement as a result of behavioral and/or emotional needs. The behaviors and/or mood symptoms may have resulted in–or are likely to result in–juvenile justice involvement, expulsion from school, displacement from home, hospitalization, residential treatment, serious injury to self or others, or death.

The purpose of these services is to reduce or stabilize symptoms and/or risk behaviors, improve overall functioning, and build strengths and resiliency in the child/youth and caregiver through a team approach.  Services should be provided in the most convenient location for the child/youth and caregiver, including the office setting, school, home, or other community location.  Service may also be provided via tele-medicine, if available. Providers may need to consider flexible office hours to support the complex needs of the child/you and caregiver.

These services may help families who have a multitude of requirements from other child serving agencies who have involvement in their families. These agencies are inclusive of juvenile justice, child protective services, private therapists, community therapists, community agencies, and educational entities. Services also are available for families and youth in residential treatment as they prepare to return home.

For more information about System of Care, please contact Linda Madrigal, System of Care Coordinator at 361-664-9587.

Case Management services are provided to every child or youth receiving our services. The Case Manager will assess the youth’s needs, along with the family’s needs and provide linkage, coordination and services based upon the youth’s identified needs and priorities for services.

These services are provided to the majority of youth, based upon their identified needs and diagnosis.  All services provided utilize evidence-based practices to help the youth learn the skills they need to understand why they are feeling the way they feel; cope with those feelings in productive ways; and learn new ways of reacting to things.  Parent education and training is an essential part of skills training as parents also need to learn why their child reacts or behaves the way they do, how to respond in a different way and to understand the skills that their child is learning.

Psychiatric Serviceinclude psychiatric evaluations, assessment, diagnosis, and prescribing of psychotropic medications if clinically appropriate.  All medications prescribed are monitored by Board Certified Psychiatrists.  Medications will only be prescribed based upon State and Federal prescribing practices.  The goal is to provide quality medical services, following best practices.  Staff members, to include nursing staff, will also provide training, education and support to assist parents and youth to understand and follow recommended treatment. The goal is for parents to make informed decisions regarding the medication treatment their child receives.