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POSITIVE VIBES SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM

Student Portrait

School-Based Services Handbook

OVERVIEW

  • The Positive Vibes School-Based program is designed to provide behavioral health therapy services to students and their families in school settings. The purpose of the program is to empower students to take control of their mental health and equip them with tools to manage stress and anxiety to express their emotions in a healthy way. 

  • Our behavioral services are available on-site at select school districts in Northern Kentucky. Services are offered to children and youth grades K-12 with the average length of service being 6-9 months, but could be longer depending on factors such as severity or lack of progress. 

  • Treatment predominantly takes place in the school setting but may include wrap-around services (Targeted Case Management Services) taking place in the office, community, and/or home settings depending on what is agreed upon by the parent and therapist during the assessment and treatment planning. Counseling may continue during the summer months in the office setting if needed. 

  • The goals of family therapy are to:

    • Help the child feel safe and secure with their new family dynamics

    • Encourage the child to share their thoughts and feelings

    • Develop trust between parent and child

    • Set limits on behavior that may be confusing or dangerous

    • Help parents understand how past experiences are affecting their child's behavior

  • WHAT ARE THE GOALS?  

    • Improve psycho-social health and school success in students​

    • Remove barriers such as transportation & scheduling difficulties, providing accessibility

    • Allow students to work with therapists in the environment they often struggle the most; school

    • Increase communication between the family and school

    • Increase academic and social support

  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

    • Individuals/families who have qualifying Medicaid insurance (office verifies this for the client)​

    • Students who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concern

    • Students with behavioral problems in the classroom

    • Students who have received a referral from the school social worker for mental health services

  • They do not need to be receiving special education services or have an individualized education plan (IEP). They do need to show symptoms and behaviors that warrant a moderate or severe mental diagnosis such as major depressive disorder, anxiety, and PTSD/trauma. A lot of times we see children who may qualify for services when there are significant behavior issues such as truancy, aggression, bullying, removal from the home, cabinet/family court involvement, hospitalizations, etc

Students

  • Our admissions department does a great job of keeping all parties updated during this process so everyone knows what is going on. We always include referral sources in these email communications with the parent/guardians so the school can stay current on where the child is starting school-based services.

  • Once the assessment is completed, your admissions team will provide you with a level of care and treatment recommendations. You can find comfort in the knowledge you’re surrounded by dedicated and compassionate professionals committed to one thing: Recovery is Possible! ​

  • You and your child can be referred to:

    • Individual Counseling: Private, one-to-one sessions with a licensed therapist to help resolve your childs presenting problems and concerns.

    • Family Counseling:  This may be offered on an as needed basis. Parents and children working together with a licensed therapist to help the family get along better or simply help the guardian with parenting coaching/behavior modification.

    • Targeted Case Management: Your personal Care Navigator to act as the liasion between you, your child, school, and the counselor. This allows the counselor to focus on the clinical treatment.  This service is included and can be very helpful with service coordination to get you where you need to be. The Care Navigator will help not only as the liasion but can link community support based on identified needs. We provide connections to self-help groups, food, housing, transportation, employment, recreation, educational needs, and disability benefits, to name a few. The best way to think of this service is the Care Navigator is the Nurse and the Counselor as the doctor.

    • Services are only offered to qualified participants who are enrolled in Medicaid.

  • Sessions are held primarly at the school, but can be held online or in the office especially during breaks. 

  • Once the student begins school-based services, the treatment team (therapist & case manager) will send weekly updates to the school's primary point of contact/counselor.

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