Merakey Childrens Services

PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

MERAKEY CHILDRENS SERVICES TRANSITIONED ITS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REHABILITATION SERVICES (BHRS) TO INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES (IBHS), WHICH PROVIDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OVER 500 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CHILDRENS SERVICES OUTPATIENT PROGRAM PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO AT-RISK CHILDREN THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA IN FY2021. THE PROGRAM BEGAN A RESIDENCY PARTNERSHIP WITH TEMPLE UNIVERSITY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCE TO FUTURE CHILD PSYCHIATRISTS AND ENSURE THAT THE CHILDREN SERVED RECEIVE STATE-OF-THE-ART CARE. THE PROGRAM SERVES AS A COMMUNITY HUB, FINDING PARTNERS TO PROVIDE AND DISTRIBUTE COATS TO FAMILIES. THIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENGAGEMENT CENTER, WHICH STREAMLINES THE CONNECTION OF CHILDREN NEEDING SERVICES WITH EXPERIENCED PROVIDERS.THE MERAKEY PACT (PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER) PROGRAM PROVIDES EARLY INTERVENTION AND PRE-ACADEMIC SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. DURING FY2021, THE FACILITY WAS UPGRADED TO PROVIDE A MORE WELCOMING AND COMFORTING ATMOSPHERE FOR THE FAMILIES RECEIVING SERVICES. BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE PANDEMIC, STAFF DEVELOPED INNOVATIVE PLANS TO EXPAND OUTREACH AND ENGAGE FAMILIES. THIRTY-TWO CHILDREN WERE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED TO SCHOOL AND CONNECTED WITH NEEDED ONGOING SERVICES. STAFF ALSO ENHANCED THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY COMPLETING THE INCREDIBLE YEARS CERTIFICATION TRAINING, WHICH ALLOWS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES IN THE PROGRAM.CHILDREN'S BLENDED CASE MANAGEMENT IS A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SERVICE THAT IS INTENDED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES. OUR DEDICATED STAFF ASSISTED THE FAMILIES WITH NAVIGATING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SYSTEMS. DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE TEAM PROVIDED MULITPLE FAMILIES WITH SAFETY CARE PACKAGES (INCLUDING MASKS, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, AND CLEANING SUPPLIES) TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.MERAKEY CHILDREN'S SERVICES ALSO WORKED TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES THROUGH ITS ONGOING FOSTER CARE PROGRAM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUPERVISED THERAPEUTIC VISITATION PROGRAM.