Guide to Treatment for Children With Mental Health Needs

What to ask

• How will the services and supports in the plan help my child and family?
• What are the service provider’s qualifications? Does he or she have special training and a track record of working with children and families like mine?
• Can I call service providers at any time of the day or night if there is a crisis?
• How do I change services or providers if things aren’t working out as planned?

What you can expect

• You have the opportunity to speak up, be listened to with respect, and not be judged.
• Most service providers will talk to you and your child in a clear, courteous, respectful, and sensitive manner in the language you use at home. Ask for an interpreter if you need one—do not let your children translate for you.
• Service providers who work with your child may have a different view of your child and family from yours. Carefully consider the evidence for what they are saying before reacting. Most service providers are just as eager to see progress as you are.
• Insist that service providers meet when and where your child and family feel comfortable.
• Service providers may ask for your feedback and suggestions. Be honest when you reply.
• Most service providers will help you advocate for the services and supports that will help your child and family achieve goals that you set.
• You may be asked to sign something that says you agree to the service plan and are accepting the services offered. You can refuse to sign if you do not agree with the plan. Ask for a copy of the service plan if it is not given to you.

What you can do

Pick your service planning team members carefully, and be an active participant on the team. Choose people who:

• Respect and trust you;
• Know your child and family and have been supportive;
• Have a track record of success managing the kinds of problems you are facing; and
• Know about services in the community.

Share the future you envision for your child and explain how others can help achieve it.

Let service providers know your child’s and family’s strengths, needs, wants, and expectations, and tell them about your family’s preferences and priorities. You could talk with someone you trust before the meeting so you are confident about what you say.

Write down short- and long-term goals for your child and family, and watch for progress toward these goals.

Tell your service coordinator or case manager as soon as you realize that some part of the plan isn’t working as you expected. Get your service planning team together again to make changes.

Rights and Responsibilities

In a system of care, your child and family have specific rights and responsibilities. Other families, as well as advocates and providers, can tell you about these and can help you understand how and when to use them. Become a strong advocate for your child and family. Exercise your rights.

What you need to know

• Discrimination in the provision of services on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, or disability is illegal.
• If your child is being evaluated for special education, you have special rights and responsibilities. Ask the school to tell you about them and get a copy of them in writing.
• You can choose service providers who respect and value your language, culture, and spiritual beliefs.
• Services and supports need to be provided in your community, so your child and family can be involved with others from your neighborhood.
• You can refuse any service offered to you without being penalized. Get help from family advocates if you are penalized for making a legitimate complaint or refusing services that you believe could harm your child or family.
• Responsible providers will notify you before they change or stop providing any service. Ask for a written notice and explanation of the change if you are not given one.