Healthy Minds Fairfax coordinates a full range of mental health and substance abuse services for children and youth across multiple county agencies, the school system and private treatment providers. The goals are to help youth and families in the Fairfax-Falls Church community access mental health and substance abuse services and improve the quality of those services.
It can be hard to know whether you need to reach out to a professional when you are worried about a child’s behavior or if you see that child is struggling. And if you do reach out, what type of specialist and treatment are right for the child? We know that many children entering foster care have experienced trauma that may lead them to need support. Foster parents can observe these needs and advocate for services children may need. We encourage you to raise any concerns you may have with the child’s social worker.
The Healthy Minds Fairfax website can be another resource to find information on whether a child in your care might need behavioral health care, finding the appropriate professional for the child, and the right treatment for his or her condition. Be sure to note the things to look for and questions to ask to make sure that the child is getting the quality of care he or she deserves.
Check out a recent Healthy Minds podcast featuring Healthy Minds Fairfax Director Jim Gillespie, providing information about this program and its successes including a collaboration with FCPS for Short Term Behavioral Services (STBS), which provide youth at designated schools up to 8 free counseling sessions. Listen here.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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