Organizations work together to expand in-home mental and behavioral health services for Dayton’s children and families

Oct 31, 2024 | Pressroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Connie Mills, assistant director communications, Youth Villages
901-233-1254| connie.mills@youthvillages.org

DAYTON, Ohio– Dayton-area children with emotional, mental or behavioral health challenges and their families can now receive intensive in-home help through a new partnership among health care organizations.

Thanks to a joint effort by CareSource, RISE and Aetna, the nonprofit Youth Villages is bringing its evidence-based Intercept program to Dayton families through a collaboration with Montgomery County Children Services and the local community mental health system. The goal is to make behavioral health resources more accessible to strengthen families and help children find success.

“Montgomery County is proud to be a part of the Intercept program, which exemplifies the combined commitment of our organizations to protecting children and strengthening families,” said Craig Rickett, associate director of Montgomery County Children Services. “This innovative initiative ensures families receive the one-on-one support they need 24/7, allowing us to prevent removal and to safely expedite reunification.”

Intercept is an evidence-based intensive in-home services model that supports children involved in child welfare, juvenile justice or children’s mental health systems and their families. In three rigorous evaluations, Intercept was found to reduce a child’s chances for out-of-home placement, such as foster care, and increase family permanency. Its “well supported” rating by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse places it on the top tier of community-based interventions.

In the program, family specialists work alongside parents or caregivers to provide comprehensive support in all areas of their lives. Specialists help youth overcome emotional or behavioral challenges, provide support to schools, promote the family’s stability, interact in the neighborhood and provide 24-hour, in-person crisis support to families.

It will initially serve 100 families this year in the Dayton area.

“Intercept is designed to keep families together, allowing children to avoid out-of-home placements and grow up safe and nurtured in their own homes,” said Paul Enderson, executive director of Youth Villages services in Ohio. “We’re proud to be partnering with local organizations in our Dayton work.”

About Youth Villages
Youth Villages is a national leader in mental and behavioral health committed to finding the most effective solutions to help children, families and young adults overcome obstacles and live successfully. Working through direct services and partnerships with other high-performing agencies and advocacy, we collaborate to bring positive change to child welfare, children’s mental health and justice systems. Our 4,500 employees serve more than 43,000 children and young adults in more than 100 locations in 27 states and Washington, D.C.

In Ohio, Youth Villages provides Intercept intensive-home services in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati. In partnership with Youth Villages, Franklin County Children’s Services also provides LIfeSet, an evidence-based program that serves as a bridge from foster care to successful adulthood. Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations. Learn more at www.youthvillages.org.