Jefferson Center for Mental Health

Family Services

We recognize that when a child or youth has a mental illness or severe emotional disturbance it can impact the whole family. We also recognize that family problems may impact the child or adolescent and manifest in behavioral or emotional symptoms. Our therapists involve all members of the family as partners in treatment planning. They talk with the family about the latest approaches that might work best for them and help identify supports and additional resources that can enhance the treatment process.

Family Service Outpatient & Case Management
We provide a broad array of outpatient services that target specific symptoms and problems, are often short-term, frequently provided in a group or family setting, and increasingly use evidence-based treatment approaches (such as cognitive behavioral therapy — CBT).

Family Services - Groups
Family Services provides a variety of groups for children and families including groups for elementary school, middle school, high school and younger children.

Early Intervention Services
The Early Intervention Team is committed to working therapeutically to meet the comprehensive needs of at-risk families with children prenatal to five years. Services are provided to parents and other care-givers (e.g. daycare centers and pre-schools) of infants and pre-school-age children.

School-Based Services
The goal of the school-based program is to increase access to mental health services for students and families. Providing therapeutic services to students at school reduces barriers that may occur due to social stigma or lack of transportation or childcare.

Intensive Family Services
An array of programs and supports designed to meet the needs of adults with serious and persistent mental illness. Services support recovery, wellness and independent living and range from 24-hour intensive residential services to peer-led support groups.

Day Treatment Program
Services for children/youth who have emotional and educational needs that cannot be met in the regular school setting.

Respite Care
Respite provides support for parents of children ages 5-17 with severe mental illness. Respite providers are specially trained to work with children with emotional and behavioral challenges, both on a planned or emergency basis. Services are provided in a variety of locations, including a Center office, in the family’s home, or at residential facilities for emergency respite.

Emergency & Crisis Services
Mental health emergency and crisis response is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Center staff respond on site, in the office, or at a community setting, as clinically appropriate.

Family Advocacy
Family Advocates support parents who have children with mental illness. Jefferson Center believes that a primary support to parents can be other parents with similar experiences who have learned how to successfully cope and find resources. The Advocates are Center staff who are also parents of children with mental illness.

Juvenile Justice Programs
A variety of programs and educational tools are available through Jefferson Center that • provide access to clinical assessment and services, • help link youth and families to community resources, and • prevent further involvement deeper into the juvenile justice system.

The ROAD
The mission of The ROAD is to assist young adults who have mental health issues as they transition into adulthood by fostering empowerment, leadership and responsibility.

Support and Education for Foster Care, Kin and Adoptive Parents
Classes provide support for foster, kin, and adoptive parents who want more education about mental health and help with raising healthy children and youth. Each class is a 2 hour training session with the first hour for lecture and the second hour for consultation and conversation about specific mental health or behavioral issues that you find challenging.

Nurturing Parenting Program
The Nurturing Parenting Programs are family-based parenting programs with a proven record of preventing & treating child abuse & neglect. The program emphasizes the importance of raising children in a warm, trusting, & caring household.

Suicide Prevention