Where Can I Find An Advocate?
Families often need help getting accessible, quality services for their children. As children mature, they also require supports to advocate effectively for themselves. An advocate is someone who can guide you through the complex maze of services, rules, regulations and personalities that control the children’s system of care. Read More »
How Can I Find Quality Behavioral Health Services for Children/Youth?
They are out there, but quality varies greatly from practioner to practioner. Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation where every child who needs mental health services is eligible for publicly funded services. Read More »
What do I do if my child’s behavioral health services are denied?
As of July 1, 2007, all counties are included in Behavioral HealthChoices – PA’s Medicaid Behavioral Health Managed Care Program. In areas that are new to HealthChoices, there is some confusion regarding implementation, including services available and the appeals process. Read More »
At What Age Does a Youth Have the Right to Consent/Reject Behavioral Health Treatment?
Mental Health Families can consent to mental health services for their children until the age of 18. These services include: All outpatient- Individual, Wraparound, Family Based, Therapeutic Foster Care, Mutely-systemic Therapy. All inpatient- Partial and Full Hospitalization and Residential Treatment. Youth at age 14 may consent or refuse inpatient services IF their family has not [...] Read More »
I think I’m autistic. Can you give me more information about what I should do?
You probably would like to start with a good evaluation. That evaluation should give specific recommendations based on your strengths and needs. If you live outside of Pennsylvania you can visit our national partner at www.NMHA.org or the Autism Research Institute site at www.autism.com. Read More »
Should I Hospitalize My Child?
More and more intensive behavioral health services are available in the community for Pennsylvania’s children. Research has shown we can keep children at home, or in community settings, even with behaviors that in the past would have been considered too risky. Read More »
My teenager was told by their clinician that they had the right to refuse Mental Health in PA when they turned 14. Is that true?
There are PA laws and regulations which govern a youth’s ability to consent to, refuse, and obtain medical treatment for themselves, including mental health treatment. Basically, a parent or guardian has the right to consent to mental health treatment for a youth up to age 18. Read More »
About Us
The Children's News is a program of the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania (MHAPA) and its affiliates across the state. We provide information for families on children's mental health issues in Pennsylvania – including advocacy efforts, events, and policies – and offer families the opportunity to share information on these issues with us.
English