Beech Brook provides mental health services and foster care in Lorain County for children and teens dealing with emotional or behavioral problems, having trouble at school or day care, engaging in unsafe or high-risk behavior, or returning to their families from an out-of-home stay.

Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC)

MTFC is an evidence-based model of foster care designed for young people (ages 12–17) who are working to overcome emotional or behavioral issues.

The goal of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care is to provide a structured, supportive environment which helps to stabilize teens and prepare them for reunification with their parents or permanent caregivers as quickly as possible.

MTFC parents are expected to:

• Provide close supervision
• Set and enforce fair, consistent limits and consequences
• Provide a supportive relationship with at least one mentoring adult
• Encourage association with peers who will be a positive influence
• Improve the youth’s relationship and work skills

What makes MTFC different from traditional foster care?

• MTFC places one youth with each family, usually for just 6–9 months.
• MTFC uses a team approach, with foster parents playing a critical role in the youth’s treatment. Other team members include the program supervisor, family therapist, individual therapist, youth skills trainer, psychiatrist and a daily telephone contact person.
• Foster parents implement an individualized, structured program for each youth with guidance from a program supervisor.
• Foster parents receive an enhanced level of support as well as higher levels of compensation. Crisis intervention is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Foster parents meet weekly with their fellow MTFC parents and program staff to support and learn from each other.

Outpatient Mental Health Services

When children or teens are struggling with emotional problems or behaviors, outpatient counseling can help them and their families work through difficult issues and get back on track for success at home or in school.
 

Outpatient therapists provide:

• Counseling/therapy
• Diagnostic assessment
• Crisis intervention and safety planning
• Case management and community support

Who will benefit from Outpatient Counseling?

Children ages 3–17 who may display any of the following problems:

• Frequent trouble at school or home
• Anger management
• Sadness or depression
• Irritability or moodiness
• Serious behavior problems
• High-risk or unsafe behaviors

Parent Child Interaction Therapy

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) provides live coaching to parents or caregivers through a 14-week program focused on improving children’s interactions with parents/caregivers and promoting positive behaviors.
 

Who will benefit from PCIT?

Children ages 2–10 with emotional/behavioral problems, which may include:

• Refusing or defying adult requests
• Losing temper easily
• Annoying others on purpose
• Stealing
• Destructive behavior
• Fighting or hurting others
• Difficulty playing quietly or taking turns

Intensive Home-Based Treatment (IHBT)

Beech Brook’s IHBT Program offers immediate, short-term and intensive mental health treatment and support services for children or teens who are recently returning from an out-of-home stay or who are at risk of placement in a residential treatment program or psychiatric hospital.

Youth referred to the IHBT Program are seen quickly and frequently during the duration of their case, normally three to six months. The IHBT Team works with the child and family at home, at school, in the community or wherever help is needed.

IHBT services include:

• An in-depth mental health assessment
• Safety planning
• Counseling and therapy 4–6 hours/week
• Community psychiatric supportive treatment
• Social services
• 24/7 crisis response

Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

The impact of a traumatic event or series of events can have long-lasting and devastating effects on children. They may suffer from intense emotional and physical reactions that seriously impact their healthy development and ability to function successfully in life. Beech Brook offers an eight-week workshop designed to give parents the tools they need to help their children overcome the emotional impact of trauma and move forward.

Who should be referred?

Lorain County parents (biological, foster or adoptive) or guardians of children or teens who have experienced trauma and are currently receiving mental health treatment.

What can parents expect?

• Guided discussion to help parents understand the impact of trauma on children
• Case studies and group exercises
• Education, skill development and resources for parents to help their children recover

What are the goals of the workshop?

• To increase parents’ knowledge of trauma and its impact on child development and behavior
• To provide parents with the skills and confidence they need to help their children overcome emotional and behavioral problems related to their traumatic experiences
• To reduce trauma symptoms in their children and improve their coping and healthy development

Beech Brook’s Lorain County offices are located at 347 Midway Blvd. in Elyria. For more information, contact the Intake Department at 216.831.2255 or 877.546.1225 or email intake@beechbrook.org.