The professional parents receive ongoing training, close support and crisis services through the program. Twenty treatment slots are available in our treatment foster care homes located in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. This new program of BHSNorth is designed to serve children between the ages of 5 and 17 who are identified with complex health and mental health needs and are at risk of needing an institutional level of care. This program is especially created for children and youth whose service and support needs cannot be met by just one agency. Respite is provided on a planned and emergency basis to help support this child in their own family setting.
All programs utilize trained paraprofessionals.
The FIT program assists parents with teaching, setting goals, and supporting their emotionally disturbed child as identified by a therapist at either BHSNorth or the Clinton County Mental Health Clinic. An on-going support group is available to all parents who have been through the course. This is a creative and innovative sharing of resources to provide services to children and their families. The Parent Aide Program works with parents under stress and those school-aged children who are at risk or have been exposed to abuse and maltreatment. The Parent Aides provide assistance by developing trusting relationships with the parents and providing positive role models.