Behavioral Health

Initiatives

An Alaskan Alternative to Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center Services for youth with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (RPTC/FASD) Waiver

Modeling and Mentoring through Community Based Services

Contact:

Shannon Cross LCSW
Mental Health Clinician III
Division of Behavioral Health
3601 C Street, Suite 934
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5935
(907) 269-3619 or 260-3600 office
(907) 269-3786 FAX
shannon.cross@alaska.gov

 

Barbara Knapp
Project Director
RPTC/FASD Waiver
Division of Behavioral Health
(907) 269-3619
(907) 269-3623 FAX

barbara.knapp@alaska.gov

Do you know a young person who has been in – or has behavior that could qualify to be in a Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center (RPTC) – who is looking for a way to develop a life program?

The youth may be:

  • Living at home with family
  • Living in a foster or group home, or
  • Considering treatment in an RPTC, or
  • Transitioning back into the community after staying in an RPTC

The youth must also experience, or be suspected of having, a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - this means the youth’s mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy.

Youth in this program will develop a life plan through a relationship with a mentor. 
Together they will work to develop:

  • Life skills
  • Learning skills
  • Job skills
  • Manage personal relationships
  • Live successfully in the community

Youth in this program will develop a life plan through a relationship with a mentor. 
Together they will work to develop:

  • Life skills
  • Learning skills
  • Job skills
  • Manage personal relationships
  • Live successfully in the community

Eligibility

Youth must be:

  • Under age 21 years
  • Eligible for Medicaid
  • Have an evaluation by a psychiatrist within 60 days of admission to the program, that identifies a need for the level and intensity of services  provided in a Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center (RPTC)
  • Have a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. (If a youth is suspected of having an FASD, but has not yet received a diagnosis, the youth may receive an FASD diagnosis as part of the screening process)
  • Want to receive services in community based services in Alaska instead of in an RPTC.

A youth who meets these criteria can be:

  • living in an RPTC in Alaska, or in another state, would come back to live in Alaska at home or in a community placement.
  • lives in the community may also be eligible for the program., or may have 
  • never received services in an RPTC, may be homeless, or staying with friends or relatives may be eligible for this program

 

What is the goal of this program?

The goal of this program is to ensure that eligible youth receive appropriate help and support to live in the community instead of in an RPTC.

Services available
The services provided under this unique program may be received in addition to regular Mental Health Services.  The youth may continue to receive:

  • Mental health rehab services, individual skill building,

group skill building and counseling.

  • Out of home placement in a foster or group home 
  • Regular Medicaid services including general health and medical care, hospitalization, and pharmacy.

Waiver services include

Mentoring Services – A mentor is paired with each youth in the program to model appropriate behaviors, and demonstrate ways to work towards life goals through positive behaviors. 

The mentor is a person chosen by the family or guardian, who works under the direction of Community Mental Health Agency providing the youth’s regular mental health services.  The mentor models positive behaviors and spends quality one to one time with the youth.  In addition, the mentor will help review the effectiveness of the services and family supports, and can connect family and providers to specialized trainers and consultants who can assist families. 

Daily and hourly respite – short term relief for family caregivers

Residential habilitation – Out-of-home living arrangements for youth– in a licensed foster home or a group home.

Day habilitation - Services to increase living skills are available to participants who live in the family home. 

Supported employment - Prepares program participants to work in community-based employment.

Training and Consultative services –(for families and service providers) Assistance by a variety of professional and paraprofessionals who help with  building skills to assist participants,  enhance caregiver skills to work towards a participant’s success  implementing, reinforcing and maintaining progress toward care plan goals.

The Plan of care will be tailored to the specific needs of each individual program participant

How will services be delivered?

A Mental Health professional will help the participant and an interdisciplinary support team put together a plan of care based on the participant’s strengths and needs.

A mentor, who meets the family and program requirements, and is accepted by the youth will meet several times each week.

 When mental health treatment plan which combines existing mental health services and the and the Plan of Care is approved by Behavioral Health, the services can begin.

 

Family or guardian participation
Because this is a grant funded program a family member or guardian must agree to participate in regular discussions and evaluation of the services provided to the youth.

 

 

You can begin the process by contacting any of the following participating Community Mental Health Centers:

 

Anchorage

Alaska Childrens Services

4600 Abbott Road

Anchorage, AK 99507

907.562.5340

Denali Family Services

1251 Muldoon Suite A

Anchorage, AK 99804

907.274. 8281

Hope Inc.

540 W. International Airport Road

Anchorage, AK 99518

907.561.5335

 

Fairbanks

Family Centered Services of Alaska

1825 Marika Road

Fairbanks, AK 99

Presbyterian House

209 40 Mile Ave. Suite 100

Fairbanks, AK 99709

907.456.6425

 

Juneau

Juneau Youth Services

9290 Hurlock Ave.

Juneau, AK 99803-2829

907.789.7610

Catholic Community Services

419 6th St.

Juneau, AK 99801

907.463.3933

 

Kotzebue

Maniilaq Behavioral Health Services

Box 256

Kotzebue, AK 99762

907.442.7640        1.800.442.7822 Toll free

 

Soldotna/ Kenai

Frontier Community Services

4335 K Beach Road Suite 36

Soldotna, AK 99669-8280

907.262.6331       1.800.819.8194 Toll Free

 

(Page posted 7/6/2009)