The program includes experts in mental health, special education, language, and behavioral skill support and development. The team has the ability to complete a complex assessment of the child and obtain broad insight into where the child can be best supported at any particular point in time. Based on this assessment a plan is developed to help the child meet targeted goals within a realistic and manageable time frame. The ultimate goal in the development of each plan is to help the child function to their highest level of capability in the family, school, and community settings accessible to them and their family.

There are various options in providing services to any child. for younger children they may primarily be seen at home where they encounter most of the stimulation and challenges that they encounter. For other young children the setting available at the center is more conducive to their learning new skills and being able to apply them. At other times the setting will be in the community.

Program development and the program goals well being developed with input from parents, teachers, other medical and mental health providers, and as appropriate extended family members and caregivers. Each individual sees the child from a different perspective and brings a different understanding to the table when helping the child be able to participate more fully in their environment.

Programming will vary markedly between clients. Some children will need less than 10 hours a week of programming, either because they’re needs are more limited, or for younger children because of the limit of how long they can actively participate. For other children the amount of programming per week may exceed 20 hours. This level of programming may be the result of; the need to teach new behaviors to support the child in developing a more positive behavioral repertoire, In other instances, the goal will be to teach the child the compensatory skills needed to help them function in more complex environments. Based on a broad needs assessment, younger children make be involved in programming at home or at the center, while for older children programming maybe provided At school, in the clinic sitting, or their place of employment. the goal is to more efficiently fit the situation and challenges being addressed.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC

Giant Step Behavioral Health Clinic has been developed to meet the general needs of clients we serve. Some individuals have very specific needs which are better served by specialized programs such as EIDBI and CTSS, while other individuals have broader, less specialized needs.

These individuals may benefit from the therapy of varying types such as play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, or family therapy. For adolescents and adults Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Hypnosis, or EMDR therapy may be more appropriate. In still other instances family therapy or marriage counseling may be most effective.

The overall goal of the behavioral health program is to meet the needs of the community at-large. Our hope is to be able to meet community members where they are and when and how they are best served.