Turning Point – Crisis Intervention for Texas Children

by | Jul 8, 2022

Anyone who has been a foster parent understands the need for patience when dealing with a child who has entered the foster care system. Being removed from a familiar environment and sent to live with a stranger can be traumatic, and added to that are the circumstances that led up to the involvement of child protective services. Children experience and manage many emotions as they await the determination of when or if they can return home, the unknown can become a normal space to live in. These experiences can sometimes lead to behaviors that require interventions. Children and youth can at times develop maladaptive coping strategies that can have long-lasting effects on their well-being, especially if they have a history of trauma or exposure to abuse or neglect. Pathways offers two options—Mosaic Behavioral Health and Turning Point—to support children struggling to cope with their emotions or express themselves appropriately.

Pathways Youth & Family Services is a foster care and adoption agency that provides behavioral health services through Mosaic. Mosaic Behavioral Health is a team of licensed mental health professionals who provide services to children in-home and via telehealth. Behavioral health teaches self-regulation and healthy emotional responses to life stressors. Stress in a child’s life can lead to inappropriate responses to everyday situations and dysfunctional behavior. Equipping children with tools they can use in their daily life positions them to develop healthy attachments and behaviors crucial to their success as adults.

The road to adulthood for some of our kids can be rocky and there are times when crisis intervention becomes necessary; that is where Turning Point comes in. Foster parents and caregivers can call Superior HealthPlan, at 1-866-912-6283, to access its statewide Behavioral Health Hotline for crisis support in an emergency. Licensed professionals are available 24/7 to provide initial support, assessment, crisis resolution, and service referrals over the phone. The hotline is available to families experiencing crises such as a child threatening harm to self or others or exhibiting out-of-control or aggressive behavior. Also available to families in Harris and Bexar Counties, is Pathways Youth and Family Services Turning Point Program. The licensed professionals who answer Superior’s Behavioral Health Hotline will call Turning Point if they determine in-person crisis intervention is required in Harris or Bexar County.

Why is early behavioral health important? Setting the youth of today up for success down the road begins now. Creating a toolkit of techniques for self-calming, stress reduction, and conflict resolution can be used for the entirety of one’s life. When trauma physically presents itself as destructive behavior, a lot of work goes into identifying the origin of the behavior. For example, receiving behavioral health services may help clarify why Johnny self-harms or why Susie is defiant and angry. 

Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10-14? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have experienced violence, child abuse, or sexual violence are at a higher risk for suicide. Pathways’ Mosaic Behavioral Health provides expert care for stress management, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, attention disorders, abuse, neglect, self-esteem, and substance abuse. Mosaic can help identify and address suicidal thoughts. Through targeted case management, therapists help each client identify their goals and then provide access to resources and services to help the client achieve treatment goals. By working together, they create a road map of sorts that lays out a path to managing emotions and maladaptive behaviors. Prevention and intervention are key strategies for children and adolescents.

If your child or youth’s behavior is out of control, aggressive, or exhibits self-harm, do not hesitate to reach out to professionals who can help. 

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