Children’s Mental Health Waiver Services
The CMHW seeks to enable children with serious emotional disturbances (SED), who would normally be require to leave their homes to seek support in a medical institution, be able to remain in their own homes and communities while receiving support services.
The CMH exists to meet the needs of children under 18 years with serious emotional disturbance (SED). Many children with SED must leave their homes to seek support in a medical institution. The parents of eligible children “waive” using services in an institution and choose instead to use services and individual supports to keep their children in their own home.
The child, his or her family, chosen providers, the targeted case manager, and others come together to form an interdisciplinary team (IDT), which meets to plan the interventions and supports a child and family needs to safely maintain the child’s physical and mental health in her or his family’s home. They guide the overall implementation of CMH services.
Children must be on the Iowa Children’s Mental Health Waiver in order to be eligible for FCS services with Life Connections. To learn more about applying for the Iowa Children’s Mental Health Waiver, contact Life Connections today through email at contactus@life-connections.org.
What our kiddos work on:
Modeling and practicing effective coping strategies
Building resilience to the stigma of serious emotional disturbance
Developing positive relationships with peers and community members
Modeling and practicing interventions in the crisis plan
Developing medication management skills
Developing personal hygiene and grooming skills
Practicing appropriate and positive socialization in the community
Services do not include vocational services, prevocational services, supported employment services, room and board, academic services or general supervision and care.
How It Works
Family and Community Support (FCS) Providers are trained professionals making a difference in their community. FCS services provide the unique opportunity for clients to be present and interact with their communities, as well as within the home, in order to develop social skills and participate in skill-building with their provider.
In-Home Family Therapy (IHFT) supports the family through skilled therapeutic services provided to the child and their family in the home. With a skilled provider, clients will work to develop coping strategies from the effects of serious emotional disturbance in family relationships. This service will enable the youth to continue living within the family environment. The goal of IHFT is to maintain a cohesive family unit. IHFT is exclusive of individual, family or other mental health therapy that the youth may receive.
There are three services available under the Children’s Mental Health Waiver:
1. Respite Services:
Children go into the care of another individual, typically in their home, for a duration of time such as a weekend to allow a break for parents and siblings. Life Connections does not provide this service.
2. In-Home Family Therapy:
A therapist goes into the home of the children and families to address mental health root causes and issues, incorporating the family into goal progression. Life Connections provides this service.
3. Family and Community Support:
Providers work with children on identified goals in the home or community setting in order to develop skill deficits that will allow for a child to maintain in their home and school setting long-term. Life Connections provides this service.
If you are interested in learning more about the CMH or have questions on how to get your child enrolled contact your case manager through your local integrated health home or at contactus@life-connections.org.
Remembering Katie Beckett, An Iowan Who Changed Waiver Laws for The Entire Country
In the early 1980’s an infant in Iowa named Katie Beckett changed the course of Medicaid for the entire country. At the age of 5 months, Katie Beckett contracted viral encephalitis. She spent the next 3 1/2 years in a hospital due to the need to use a ventilator and compressor. Her parent’s $1 million health insurance policy ended for Katie, and she was not eligible for Medicaid, at the time, because of her parent’s income. Katie’s parents appealed to the Iowa Legislature to develop a waiver that would reimburse the cost of providing services for Katie in her own home. The Iowa Legislature responded and in 1984 established the first HCBS waiver, the Ill & Handicapped waiver. President Reagan intervened at the time to push for a change in the federal rules. Katie Beckett is now in her 30’s and is an advocate for disabled children.
DHS Director Charles Palmer commented on May 18, 2012
Start Your Services
Start Mental & Behavioral Health Services with Life Connections | Because life is all about connections.