Child & Family Mental Health

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We provide high quality, comprehensive, and integrated prevention and community based services to children and their families.

Overview

The mission of the Child & Family Program at the Clara Martin Center is to provide high-quality, comprehensive, and integrated prevention and community-based services to children and their families. Our team fosters resilience, inspires change, helps families recover from difficult events, and promotes healthy family systems.

The Child and Family Program operates with the understanding that children and adolescents live within families and communities. Prevention and treatment are planned in collaboration with families and appropriate community members/professionals. All services are intended to enhance the functioning of the family system. Our services are part of a comprehensive and coordinated array of community resources intended to form a “wrap-around” safety net of support for every family in need in our region of Vermont. Each “wrap around” is designed to meet the unique needs of the child and their family.

  • Adolescents ages 13-18 can be seen once at the Clara Martin Center without the consent of a guardian.
  • Adolescents ages 13-18 can be seen a maximum of three times in order to resolve a crisis without the consent of a guardian.
  • All other treatment of minors requires the consent of a guardian.
  • Children and adolescents needing services for a developmental disability are referred to Upper Valley Services, the local provider for these services.

The Child and Family Program provides these services from our Randolph, Chelsea and Bradford sites. Clinical and school-based (school year) services as well as respite and social support services are available on a regular basis. Emergency services are available seven (7) days per week, 24 hours a day.

  • Attachment Therapy
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Trauma Informed (ARC – Attachment, Regulation and Competency)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Co-Occurring treatment
  • Resiliency model
  • Applied Behavioral Analysis (schools)
  • Seeking Safety

Early Childhood Mental Health Services

In a regional collaboration with other Early Childhood providers, the Clara Martin Center provides therapeutic supports to young children, ages 0-6 years old, and their families. These services are specific to developmental, social, and emotional needs and tend to be delivered through a more specific prevention-based model. Services are provided in the home, community and at the office based upon need and appropriateness.

Outpatient Services

While general outpatient services are focused on ages 6-15, the services below are available to any and all children within the larger Child and Family Program.

therapy

Based upon the individual clinical needs, youth are assigned to a therapist that will best match the needs of the youth/family. Our staff offer specialized evidence based treatment in areas such as: Attachment Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Trauma Focused Treatment, Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.

Group Programming

The Child and Family Program designs group curriculum with the population and community needs in mind. Group programming addresses: emotion regulation, social skills, interpersonal relationship skills, family groups, parenting groups, substance use education groups, and specific targeted skills groups.

Summer Group Programming

Skill building and the need for supports continues even when school lets out for the summer. We design skill based curriculum for groups that are delivered in the community that incorporate healthy, fun activities into the acquisition and practice of skills.

Case Management

Based upon the needs of the child and family, case management can provide either short term or more intensive supports to address needs outside of the therapy office. This can include parenting supports (either in the home or in the office), resource finding and referrals to additional services, and coordination with other professionals and community based supports.

Community Supports

Child and Family clinicians provide community based supports designed for children in need. These supports assist with taking the children into the community to use a hands on approach in learning skills. Children are able to learn skills, including social, communication, peer interaction, emotional, and behavioral. Children learn to implement the skills within a community context while receiving support and coaching at the same time.

Child Psychiatric Services

The Child and Family Program offers limited psychiatric services to those individuals with higher acuity of psychiatric needs. Our child psychiatrist utilizes a consultation model, in which our psychiatrist stabilizes the youth’s medications and then refers the youth back to their pediatrician. The pediatricians are encouraged to use the psychiatrist to consult on any further questions or medication changes.

Outpatient ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)

Intensive ABA services are available for children who qualify for these services. Qualifying children must be between the ages of 2 and 10, have a verified diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and services must be prescribed by a doctor. Outpatient ABA services provide in-home support through a Behavioral Support Plan that is implemented by a Behavioral Technician and developed by a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst. Intensive services are put in place to support skill acquisition and parenting supports. This service is available on a very limited basis.

Respite Services

Sometimes a family or youth needs time to get away from their current circumstance. Our respite program allows youth to take planned “breaks” where they are able to be in a different environment to gain some space or perspective, and sometimes to just be able to have some quality one on one time with a provider who is there to support them. Respite is a limited, short term option that aims to reduce immediate stress, while allowing for natural resources to be put in place for long term supports. In order to be eligible for Respite Services a youth must be actively engaged in clinical services, and be willing to adhere to the rules of the program.

Transition Age Youth (TAY)

The Transition Age Youth program provides services to youth 16-22 years of age, utilizing the Resiliency Model to meet clients “where they are at.” Providing therapeutic services and supports in the youth’s environment help adolescents and young adults succeed. TAY supports the adolescent or young adult in developing and maintaining caring relationships by being held to high expectations, and giving them opportunities to participate and contribute to their community.

Jump On Board for Success (JOBS) is a vocational program that supports youth, ages 16 through 21, in transitioning to adulthood. The JOBS Case Manager can support individuals with career exploration, resume building, interviews, applications, and on-the-job training. The JOBS Case Manager works closely with local businesses and HireAbility Vermont to provide youth with company tours, informational interviews, job shadows, work-based learning, and work experiences. JOBS can also support individuals with exploring college and daily living skills such as budgeting and finance.

  • Assistance with preparing for employment
  • Assistance with accessing educational & training segues to work opportunities
  • Aid with job development
  • Collaboration with community businesses & employers
  • Benefits counseling to understand how earned wages affect benefit grant amounts
  • Assistance with on-going job support

The Adventure Based Programming consists of a dynamic package of services that will engage clients in their treatment through Experiential Learning and Adventure Based Treatment. We foster resiliency and inspire change for children and adolescents by incorporating their whole self, including strengths and competencies that are brought out through active forms of treatment.

The Adventure Based Program is a part of a comprehensive and coordinated array of community resources intended to promote self-discovery and meaningful relationships through hands-on learning in a group format. Elements of the program include:

  • Monthly Day Trips (for two age groups 12-15, and 16-18)
  • Week long Wilderness Trips
  • Booster Weekends
  • Challenge Group for Teens
  • Summer Group Programming

Summer Programs

Skill building and the need for supports continue even when school lets out for the summer. Clara Martin designs a skill-based curriculum for groups that are delivered in the community to incorporate healthy, fun activities into the acquisition and practice of life skills.

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