CHILDREN & YOUTH HELP
Children, youth, transitional age youth & young adults
Life brings with it a variety of stresses and challenges. Many children, youth and young adults struggle with life circumstances that negatively impact them at school and at home. Many have difficulties with their relationships with their friends and teachers and they often feel isolated and alone.
Children, youth and young adults who are able to get the services they need and develop the skills to handle life’s difficulties are less likely to drop out of school or become involved in alcohol and drugs. The Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRS) is committed to helping the children, youth and young adults grow into happy healthy adults by providing a variety of services that are culturally competent, developmentally appropriate and accessible in a variety of settings.
System-wide Partnerships: The MHRS Board collaborates with other child and youth-serving organizations and has formed partnerships to provide mental health and alcohol/drug prevention, intervention and treatment services:
Juvenile Court and the Ohio Department of Youth Services Multi-systemic Therapy (MST) Grant
Multi-systemic Therapy (MST) is an evidenced-based practice for multi-system youth who are at risk of being removed from their homes and/or placed in the custody of the Ohio Department of Youth Services. Services are short term, intensive and delivered in the home. Contact the Ashtabula County Juvenile Court Resource Center or your child’s probation officer at 440-994-6044 for more information.
High-Fidelity Wraparound Services
High-Fidelity Wraparound is an intensive evidence-based practice that uses the family created team approach accessing services and building skills in the child and the family to manage difficult behaviors of youth struggling with a behavioral health disorder. The process allows the youth and family to work together with their team of professionals and community supports to develop plans to assist the youth to achieve success in the home, the community and in school. More in-depth information and referrals to the program can be made by contacting the Ashtabula County Family and Children First Council at 440-998-6859.
Transitional Age Youth and Young Adults
The time between adolescence and adulthood is a critical time in life. Helping young people overcome challenges and learn the necessary skills for adulthood can be made even more difficult with a mental illness. Oftentimes, this is a time when symptoms first emerge and difficulties are first identified. And yet it is a time of inspiration and hope as young people grow into the adults and they pursue their dreams. The MHRS Board is committed to providing the best services available for transitional age youth and young adults. Services are youth-oriented and developmentally appropriate. The Board, through Community Counseling Center, utilizes the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) System This is an evidence-based practice that assists these youth and helps them learn the skills necessary to move successfully into adulthood. For more information contact Community Counseling Center at 440-998-4210.
Incident Response Team
The MHRS Board works collaboratively with community partners to provide an Incident Response Team to schools when they have experienced the loss of a student, parent of a student or staff member and they are in need of mental health first aid and support. The schools activate the response through a call to the MHRS Board and a team is formed to meet the needs of the districts.
Ashtabula County Prevention Coalition and Alcohol and Drug Prevention Services
The MHRS Board provides funding for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention services in a variety of settings including in the community and at school. Prevention services are aimed at reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in youth. Many of the efforts are coordinated through the MHRS Board’s Prevention Coalition. The MHRS Board is the recipient of a federal SAMHSA Drug-Free Communities five-year grant to reduce the use of substances in Ashtabula County. Projects of the Coalition and our active partners include Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign, Why 21, PAX Good Behavior Game (teacher training), PAX Tools (parent and community member training), Botvin LifeSkills, Red Ribbon Week Campaigns, Teen Institute, Drug Disposal Boxes, and Drug Take-Back Days and many others. Coalition membership is open to the public. Please contact the MHRS Board office at 440-992-3121, through the MHRS Board website or the Coalition Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/preventioncoalition/
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services
The MHRS Board is committed to ensuring that youth who are struggling with a substance use disorder are able to access the services they need. Youth treatment services are for people under age 18 who are experiencing problems at home, at school or in the community as a result of their alcohol or drug use. If you or your family member need alcohol or drug services contact Community Counseling Center at 440-998-4210 or Signature Health at 440-992-8552 for more information and assistance. Resources information can also be accessed through the Juvenile Court Resource Center at 440-994-6044.