ALLEGHENY CHILDRENS INITIATIVE INC

Intensive Behavioral Health Services are mental health services provided to children and adolescents in various settings including their home, community, and school settings. IBHS services are designed to manage therapeutic needs, increase coping strategies and support skill development to promote positive behaviors across environments.

Services provided by Allegheny Children's Initiative include:
Establishing treatment goals and strength-based treatment plans;
Strengthening and empowering the family/caregiver and community supports;
Respecting the parents/legal guardians as the treatment team leaders;
Integrating behavioral health interventions with family support and other community based services;
Coordination and collaboration with other community resources;
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these services.

Family Based Mental Health Services are intensive, in-home services for children and adolescents and their families who are experiencing significant emotional or behavioral needs. FBMH helps caregivers care for their child(ren) in their home and aims to prevent out-of-home placement. To participate in the program a recommendation by a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist is required.

Services provided by Allegheny Children's Initiative include:
Improving communication, problem solving and stress management skills for all family members;
Assessing and coordinating treatment needs for the individual and family;
Advocacy for children in their home, school and community settings;
Support for the family in obtaining education, legal, medical and social services if necessary;
Coordination and collaboration with other service supports;
Team delivered services, and
24/7 On call crisis intervention and stabilization services.

Student Assistance Program (SAP) assists school personnel in identifying issues which pose a barrier to a student's academic success. SAP aims to help students overcome these barriers in order that they achieve, remain in school and advance. SAP teams provide students and families with information to make choices that best fit the needs of the student.

Services provided by Allegheny Children’s Initiative include:
Participation SAP Core team meetings;
Complete SAP CANS screenings;
Make recommendations for further assessment (if needed);
Provide follow-up services for students;
Co-facilitate SAP groups;
Provide consultation services;
Participate in post-vention services and deliver SAP education services.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based therapy designed for young children (ages 2.5 to 7 years old) with disruptive and/or oppositional behaviors. During PCIT, therapists teach parents to use effective behavior management and discipline techniques with their young children. PCIT also helps to increase positive interactions between parents and their child and increase their child’s positive social behaviors.
Services provided by Allegheny Children’s Initiative include:
Once weekly therapy sessions for 12-20 weeks, each session is one hour
Therapist teaches and then coaches parent/caregiver during therapy sessions
Homework is provided weekly to practice newly acquired skills at home and in the community

Kids’ Club and Moms’ Empowerment supports moms and their child(ren) ages 4-12 years who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) within the last year and have been referred by Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families.

Services provided by Allegheny Children’s Initiative include:
Once weekly group sessions for 10 weeks, each session is two hours in length and includes a shared meal;
Youth talk about their experiences at home, share their feelings about their family, and eliminate self-blame and learn coping skills;
Moms get confidential support from therapists and other moms, share parenting concerns, and gain skills in talking with their child(ren) about violence in the home