Division of Childrens System of Care  -      Service Guidelines
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Behavioral  Assistance - Child/Youth category

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:


Behavioral Assistance are specific, outcome-oriented interventions that are components of an approved, written, detailed plan of care prepared by a licensed clinical behavioral healthcare practitioner.  Behavioral Assistance is a dynamic process of Intervention and ongoing evaluation resulting in effective modification of a child/youth's identified behavior(s)

Behavioral Assistance services involve applying positive behavioral principles within the community using culturally based norms to foster behaviors that ar rehabilitative and restorative in nature.  The intervention should result in  sustainable positive behavioral changes that imporve functioning,  enhance the quality of life and strengthen sills in a variety of life domains including but not limited to:
1.  Physical and mental well being
2.  Interpersonal communicaitons and relationships
3.  Socialization behaviors and activities;
4.  Behavioral conduct
5.  Adaptive coping strategies and behaviors

Behavioral Assistance services are face-to-face interventions provided individually or in a group setting with the child/youth/ and / or his/her family/caregiver(s) that will provide the necessary support to the child/youth to attain the goals of the service plan and/or the Plan of Care.ALL PARENTS ARE PROVIDED A COPY OF THIS BEHAVIORAL PLAN.  Behavioral Assistance services in a group setting may be provided to no more than three children and/or the family member(s)/caregiver(s) of up to three children/youth in one session. 
A Behavioral Assistance plan is designed to target specific behaviors that are interfering with a child/youth's funcitoning and impeding his/her development.  This plan is based on a comprehensive behavioral assessment completed by a licensed behavioral healthcare practioner.  Behavioral Assistance Services do not utilize Applied Behavioral Analysis therapeutic techniques. 

Behavioral Assistance Service is delivered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and DOES NOT INCLUDE MENTORING, TUTORING, COMPANIONSHIP or other similar services.  Only youth receiving case management; CMO/UCM, YCM,  MRSS, or out of home services are eligible for behavioral assistance.

CRITERIA FOR BEHAVIORAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

• The child, youth or  young adult is between the ages of 5 and until their 21st birthday.  Special consideration will be given to children under 5.
• The youth is enrolled in a DCSOC case management entity which could include CMO/UCM, YCM - Youth Case Management, or MRSS - Childrens Mobile Response
• The child/youth demonstrates symptoms consistent with a DSM-IV (Axes I-V) dignosis.
• The child/youth has a behavioral or emotional disorder that interferes with her/his ability to maintain family, school, social or work responsibilities unless clinical/restorative/rehabilitative services are provided.
• The DCSOC Assessment and other relevant information indicate that behavioral assistance services are needed to facilitate positive behavior changes.
• The need for behavioral assistance services is clearly identified in the ISP/ICP/treatment plan.  (ISP - Individual Service Plan)
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EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Any of the following criteria is suffficient for exclusion from behavioral assitance services:
A.  The DCSOC Assessment and other relevant inforamtion indicate that the child/Youth does not need behavioral assistance services.
B.  The child/Youth's parent/guardian/custodian does not voluntarily consent to treatment and there is no court order requiring such treatment.
C.  The request for behavioral assistance services is not a component of an approved, written, detailed plan of care prepared by a licensed behavioral healthcare practitioner.
D. The Behavioral symptoms are the result of a medical condition that warrants a medical setting for treatment as determined and documented by the youth's primary care physician and or CSA Medical Director. 
E.  The child/youth's sole diagnosis is Substance Abuse and there are no severe emotional or behavioral disturbances that require behavioral assistance services.
F.  The child/youth has a sole diagnosis of Autism and  ther are no co-occurring DSM IV Axis I Diagnoses, or symptoms/behaviors consistent with a DSM IV Axis I Diagnosis.
G. Youth requires specialized therapeutic-behavioral services, ie. Applied Behavioral Analysis, which consist of more than 4 clinical hours a week.
H. The child/youth has a sole diagnosis of Mental Retardation/Cognitive Impairment and there are no co-occurring DSM IV Azis I Diagnoses, or symptoms/behaviors consistent with a DSM IV Axis I Diagnosis. 
I. The youth is not  a resident of New Jersey.  For minors who are under 18 years of age, the residency of the parent or legal guardian shall determine the residence of the minor.

Continuation criteria and Discharge criteria can be found on the Performcare website