Toll Free:
1-888-819-5312

Main Phone: 361-777-3991
Fax: 361-777-2940

If you need an appointment outside of normal business hours please contact our Toll Free number above.

24/7 CRISIS HOT-LINE

1-800-841-6467

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SERVICES INQUIRY LINE

1-800-831-6467

Main Location

200 Marriott Drive,
Portland, Texas 78374

Youth & Family Services

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.

Please, click on this link to see proposed
YES Waiver Amendments:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/yes/

Linda Ramos Perez
Children's Mental Health Services Director

Linda Ramos-Perez is a Texas A&I alumni with a Masters in Psychology and License Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA).  She chose counseling as her career to assist   individuals who experience challenges due to a mental illness and has been working in a Community Mental Health Clinic for a little over 30 years.  During her tenure in public mental health services, she continues to be fascinated in assisting individuals who battle mental illness each day. For the last 29 years, she has held leadership positions within public mental health services for both children and adults as well building and strengthening systems of care within our region.  She has also had the pleasure having the opportunity working at the state level in policy changes.   Her drive and desire as a manager/leader is to support staff in implementing interventions that result in positive outcomes for the community by working collaboratively with individuals in moving towards recovery and become resilient.  

We also offer support for children and teens (ages 3–17) and their families. Services include:

  • In-home therapy
  • Family counseling
  • Help staying in the home and avoiding out-of-home placements

We work with the entire family to support each child’s emotional and behavioral needs.

This program is for children and teens who have serious emotional or behavioral problems and are involved with more than one system—like schools, courts, or child protective services. These youth may be at risk of being removed from their homes, going to the hospital, or even getting into legal trouble.

The goal is to:

  • Reduce risky behavior or symptoms
  • Help children do better at home, in school, and in the community
  • Build strengths and support for both the child and their family

Services are provided where it’s most helpful—at home, school, our office, or even online. Times are flexible to fit the family’s needs.

Every child or teen in the program gets a Case Manager. This person works with the family to figure out what help is needed, and connects them to the right services and support in the community.

Skills training helps youth understand their feelings, learn how to cope, and react to situations in healthier ways. Parents also get support to understand what their child is going through and learn how to respond in more helpful ways. These services are based on proven techniques that really work.

Our psychiatric services include:

  • Checking how a person is doing (called an evaluation)
  • Finding out if they have a mental health condition (diagnosis)
  • Prescribing medicine, if it’s needed and approved

All medicines are prescribed by licensed psychiatrists and follow state and national laws.

Families, especially parents, are told about all treatment choices. Nurses and staff will explain how the medicine works and answer any questions. This helps families feel safe and confident when making care decisions.

A Family Partner is someone who works directly with parents and caregivers. They help families feel heard, guide them through the process, and speak up for their needs. They are part of the treatment team and act as a bridge between families and the different services.

Wraparound is a team-based approach. The child and family are the focus, and their strengths and goals shape the plan. A Case Manager leads the team, and everyone works together to help the family reach their vision of a better future.

10 Guiding Principles in the Wraparound Process

Family Voice and Choice:

Team Based:

Natural Supports:

Collaboration:

Community–Based:

Culturally Competent:

Individualized:

Strengths-Based:

Persistence:

Outcome-Based:

This process brings together the people already involved in the child’s life—like school staff, counselors, or family friends—to build one clear plan that supports both the child and family.

CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps people see how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected.

A therapist works with the person to:

  • Spot negative or unhelpful thoughts
  • Understand how those thoughts affect feelings and actions
  • Learn how to change those thoughts to more helpful ones

CBT helps people set goals and solve problems. It is often used to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms.

The YES Waiver is a special Texas program that helps children and teens with serious emotional problems. It helps them stay at home with their families instead of going to a hospital or care facility.

The program started in 2009 and offers extra support that regular Medicaid may not cover. These services can include:

  • Respite (short breaks for caregivers)
  • Help at home
  • Family support
  • Small changes to the home to make it safer or easier to use
  • Job help for older youth
  • Other needed services

This program works together with Medicaid, the family, and the community to give full support.

Your Help Starts Here

Providing Behavioral Health Services in Rural South Texas

© Coastal Plains Integrated Health | Branded By Web Design