Because the situation of each child and family is unique, Monroe Community Mental Health Authority offers a variety of treatment options to help meet these various needs. Upon entry into services through our Access Department, each child will be assigned to a level of care and program area based on the kind, severity and intensity of the needs and problems presented and as agreed upon by the family.

Further information on how to access services is provided in the pages ahead. This section also describes the variety of treatment programs and options available for children and families if they are eligible for services.

Once a child is assigned to a program area or level of care designed to best meet his or her needs, a variety of available treatment options, supports and services will be presented to the family to help in achieving the family’s goals. As with all of the CMH programs described in this brochure, an individualized plan is developed specific to the needs of the child and family by the family with the assistance of the primary clinician. The clinician works in partnership with the family, who is seen as an integral part of the treatment team, to identify each area of need and how the team and family will work together to achieve the family’s desired outcomes for themselves and their child. A variety of treatment approaches or models may be recommended for the family to choose from to achieve their goals and family strengths and natural resources will be built upon wherever possible.

Evidence based and promising treatment practices are treatment approaches that have been shown through research to be effective in achieving positive outcomes for children and families. Monroe CMHA currently offers evidence based or promising practice treatment options for sexual offenders, suicidal or self harming behaviors, oppositional defiant and conduct disordered children and children with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems. We also have clinicians who offer specialties in working with children with mood disorders, trauma and abuse. When designing your family centered plan, your clinician will talk with you about available treatment options for you to consider.

MCMHA Child and Family services programs utilize a team approach to provide children and families with the maximum resources and service availability to help them achieve their goals. Each family receiving services will typically be assigned to one primary clinician who will assist them with the development of a treatment plan and provide the majority of clinical and case management services to the family. One or more additional clinicians will also typically be introduced to the family however to assist in providing any additionally needed treatment or services, or to provide treatment or case management when the primary clinician is unavailable for professional or personal reasons. Using this team approach allows Monroe CMHA to provide the level of service and availability that each family requires to address their needs and meet their goals.