Mental Health Services in Hillsdale County

Services for children ages 4-17

Steps to accessing services:Visit or call Life Ways Access Center for a brief screening:

• 8am-6pm Monday-Friday in Hillsdale (25 Care Dr.)

• Toll free 1-800-284-8288

What to except during screening:• You will be asked questions to assist the specialist in determining your child’s current mental health needs

• Life Ways will then determine if your child’s needs can be met:

• By a community agency or

• Requires specialty services

through a Life Way’s provider

If referred to a community agency:• Life Ways will assist you in locating a

provider that accepts your insurance

• There are many providers in Hillsdale County that accept a wide range of insurance s for mental health services

If referred for possible specialty services:• You and your child will need to participate in a full assessment

• At the end of the assessment you will be informed about

services appropriate for your child’s situation.

• Assessment lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours

• Assessment requires the consent of the adult(s) who have legal custody of the child

• Contact Life Ways if you have questions about legal custody and who is required to sign the paperwork

• A financial determination will also be required to determine if there is an ability to pay.

What to bring to the assessment:

Picture ID (driver’s license, State ID, School ID, etc.)

Proof of income (pay stubs, W2’s, SSI/SSDI benefits

or denial letter) Any school testing and current IEP Social security card Guardianship/Custody Documents Insurance Card (Medicaid, Private or other) List of current medications Any other relevant information

If specialty services are recommended:

An appointment will be set up with a provider:

Life Ways children providers are: Highfields Integro Family Services and Children’s Aid Catholic Charities Hope Network CSI

Mental Health Services in Hillsdale County

Services for children ages

birth to 3 years

Referrals:• Lifeways 1-800-284-8288• Highfields (Andrea Bernard) • Integro (Clint Irwin)

Program specifics: Home based counseling for children

under age 4. Focus is on building healthy relationships,

prevention, and addressing concerns Counseling lasts 6 months to 1 year Minimum of 2 hours weekly Child must be Medicaid eligible unless arrangements are made through Life Ways

What parent will need to do:• Complete agency provided Home based 0-3

referral form

• Complete a full assessment through assigned agency

• Supply all of the required paperwork

Teen Mother or At-risk Mother of a child 0-3:

Go through Life Ways Access number Access clinician well versed in warning signs of possible attachment or parenting

programs will complete the assessment An Infant Mental Health provider may be

assigned if needed In the event there are no diagnosis for the

child, the mother may be identified as the client. 0-3 tools will be used.

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is

success."

-Henry Ford