CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment for Teens & Children

Clay Behavioral Health Center has substance abuse and prevention programs for adults, children, teens and families. The Children’s Substance Abuse Program provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for children who are coping with drug or alcohol abuse or addiction, along with their families. Clay County Behavioral Health works with the child and family to create a supportive environment to educate, treat and maintain a healthy and substance-free lifestyle.

Prevention is an important part of these efforts, and we are proud to continue our partnership with the Clay County School Board to provide our in-school Student Assistance Program to reach at-risk youth.

Children referred to the substance abuse program receive an initial screening or assessment to determine the severity of their substance abuse problem. After assessment and diagnosis, the child is referred to an appropriate level of care, including:

  • Intervention – For children who exhibit only minimal signs of drug or alcohol abuse or experimentation
  • Outpatient Treatment – For children who exhibit significant signs of drug or alcohol abuse or any signs of dependence
  • Intensive Outpatient Program – Structured services, including individual, group, and in-home services, for youth dependent on or abusing alcohol and/or other drugs
  • Outpatient Therapy – Individual, group, family and psycho-educational therapy for the child and his/her family
  • School-Based Substance Abuse Prevention – Community education about alcohol and other drugs, includes collaboration with Clay County School Board and the Clay Action Coalition. Clay Behavioral counselors are located in 22 of the county’s schools. CBHC partners with the Clay County School Board to offer the “Be The Change” program to area high schools.
  • Family Support Group – Information sharing and support among family members of those abusing substances
  • Bannerman Substance Abuse Program – An adolescent substance abuse program provided within the Clay County Alternative school intended to reduce substance abuse among students and facilitate their return to mainstream/primary school.
Admission Criteria

To be admitted to Clay Behavioral’s children’s substance abuse program, the child must be under the age of 18 with one or more of the following:

  • Diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence
  • Have a history of substance use or experimentation without meeting diagnostic criteria
  • Have been discharged from an an inpatient substance abuse program
  • In need of wraparound services or aftercare services
Special Services

Children identified with special needs, such as dual diagnoses, will be assigned to a substance abuse coordinator or manager for special consideration. Treatment options include:

  • Mental health services
  • Medication management services
  • Case management services

Children with significant substance abuse concerns exceeding the scope of children’s substance abuse services may be eligible for participation within adult level services. Any such placements will require the written knowledge and permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian.

Professional Staff

Children’s substance abuse services are provided by Masters-level clinicians who may be licensed or certified within the mental health or substance abuse fields.

Funding for children’s substance abuse services is provided by the Florida State Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADM) contract, TANF, Medicaid, Medicare and various private insurances.