School-based behavioral health programs
A list of providers by school
See www.childrenfirstpa.org/issues/child-health/behavioral-health
Student Assistance Program
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is designed to identify and assist students who are having school-related problems resulting from drug or alcohol abuse or other mental health problems. Referral can be triggered by the school or the family.
Students who are deemed in need of help are referred to the appropriate school-based and/or community services. A SAP evaluator will come to the school with written parental permission and meet with the parents and student. The evaluator will then help parents obtain any recommended services.
School Therapeutic Services
School Therapeutic Services (STS) is an intensive, short-term service offered in selected schools in the Philadelphia School District. This program was developed to support students whose emotional and behavioral issues create barriers to their school success. A team of experienced mental health professionals from a provider agency works closely with school staff and families.
If your child’s school does not have STS, you may request a transfer to one that does.
Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services formerly “Wraparound”
Essentially provides the same services as STS in schools that do not have that program. Both programs seek to actively involve the family in dealing with students’ issues.
Regular contact with providers
Community Behavioral Health requires weekly contact between providers and families. If this is not happening, contact your school counselor or CBH member services.
If a child changes schools or starts a new school
If he or she is receiving behavioral health services, notify the provider in the school they are leaving and speak to the counselor in the receiving school. You must initiate the change; it is not automatic.
“It’s important that whatever services your child is receiving, you communicate that to the new school,” says Bridget Taylor-Brown, the School District’s director of prevention and intervention.
Parental or guardian consent
Unless drugs or alcohol are an issue, a parent/guardian must consent to any behavioral health assessment or treatment of your child, in school or out of school, up until age 14. At 14 or over they can give consent, although a provider may also require your consent for an older child. A student of any age may obtain treatment for drug or alcohol abuse without parental notification or consent.
High schools with services
Most behavioral health services in the School District are geared to grades K-8. But three high schools have outpatient clinics serving their own students: Frankford, Martin Luther King, and South Philadelphia.
What the city offers
For questions about the city’s outpatient and inpatient
behavioral health services:
Call Community Behavioral Health Member Services 1-888-545-2600.
For a mental health emergency:
Call the acute services crisis number of Community Behavioral Health 215-685-6440.
A note on waiting times:
If your child has Medical Assistance, behavioral health providers must see the child within seven days. If the child needs urgent care, the provider must see him/her within 24 hours.
If you are having a problem getting an appointment:
Call member services 1-888-545-2600.
Call if your wait time exceeds seven days, or if the provider says they won’t see a child under the age of 4. “We have some providers who will see a kid as young as 2 or 3,” says Andrew Devos, deputy chief operating officer at Community Behavioral Health.
If you see a clear case of child abuse or neglect:
Call the Department of Human Services child line 215-683-6100.
Insurance issues
Information about Medical Assistance
Call Community Behavioral Health Member Services 1-888-545-2600.
CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program
CHIP is Pennsylvania’s health insurance program for uninsured children and teens. There may be fees and co-pays based on income. In Philadelphia, CHIP is provided through four different insurance companies:
Aetna 1-800-755-2422
United HealthCare 1-800-414-9025
Kidz Partners 1-877-710-8222
Keystone Health Plan East 1-800-688-1911
If you have private insurance through your employer, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card.
Other questions about health insurance or help in applying
Public Citizens for Children and Youth hotline 215-563-5848 x17
Advocating for your child
Talk with other parents who may have similar issues
Parents Involved Network (PIN), a parent support group in Philadelphia 267-507-3860.
Get help in making the system work for you
Public Citizens for Children and Youth hotline 215-563-5848 x17
To learn more
General information on the city’s child behavioral health system
Public Citizens for Children and Youth is an excellent source. A series of guides and research reports is available on their website childrenfirstpa.org.
Their 2012 guide to services in Philadelphia is available at tiny.cc/WhereToGo.
For more on the city’s behavioral health resources, go to HealthyMindsPhilly.org.
General information about trauma and trauma-informed care
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
ChildTrauma Academy ChildTrauma.org
General questions about mental health
American Psychiatric Association Answer Center 1-888-357-7924 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST
Child Mental Health Q&A from National Institutes of Mental Health
tiny.cc/ChildMentalHealth
About the issue of stigma
Scattergood Foundation
Does your pediatrician know about childhood trauma?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has a series of guides for diagnosing and dealing with child trauma tiny.cc/TraumaGuide
Philadelphia Public School Notebook – December 4, 2014 – Read article online