Okeechobee County Services

Case Management is a coordination service offered to adults and children who are mentally ill and need help accessing services.

 

Case Managers:

Community Advocacy Team (CAT) is an innovative, intensive case management team that provides a wide range of on-site therapeutic interventions and support.  Services are provided to adults with chronic mental disabilities.  When men and women join the program they are usually non-compliant to service, severely lacking in adequate social and coping skills, and are at high risk for re-hospitalization.

 

The program’s goal is to assist the men and women in finding supportive housing; to maintain quality of life; establish linkages with agencies not otherwise available to them; educate families and significant others for enhanced understanding of mental illness; anticipate and prevent mental and physical deterioration of the individual served and reduce the need for re-hospitalization. 

 

Domestic Violence Youth Diversion Program is funded through a contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice. The program is designed to help divert children (ages 10-16) from the juvenile justice system  First offenders involved in the program are provided counseling to change their behavior.  Services include in-home counseling, youth and family groups and individual sessions.  Referrals are made through the State Attorney’s office.

 

Family Intervention Services is a program that provides community-based substance abuse and mental health case management for parents. Parents who have been identified as having a possible substance abuse problem, that may be contributing to abuse/neglect of their children, are referred by Family Safety Staff from DCF.  Program services include comprehensive behavioral assessments, psychiatric evaluations and removing barriers to treatment.

 

Mobile Crisis Response Team provides immediate on-site assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, linkage and referral for people who are experiencing crisis.  Services are accessed by referral from law enforcement officials, emergency room staff, or school officials.  Services also include follow-up as needed to promote crisis resolution, evaluation and arrangement for inpatient hospitalization if necessary.

 

Mobile Crisis services are provided by trained mental health professionals in an effort to provide safe alternatives to involuntary admissions to a treatment facility.

 

Outpatient Counseling Services provide mental health services for adults and children. Clients may be referred by family, a community agency, the courts, or may be self-referred.  Comprehensive social, psychological and psychiatric evaluations are provided.  Based upon the evaluation and diagnosis, the appropriate treatment will be provided.

 

Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a substance abuse prevention program that provides a range of services for selected elementary and middle school students. The program operates during regular school hours and after school.

 

Services include classes aimed at educating youth on the dangers of substance abuse and developing skills to prevent future use.  Through individual or small group counseling, children also learn to develop greater self-esteem and coping skills.

 

The program is funded through a contract with Children’s Services Council.  The program is available with no charge for students and their families.  A limited summer program is also available.

 

Therapeutic Behavioral On-Site Services (TBOS) is designed as an intensive intervention program to assist children who are experiencing severe emotional problems.  The program is offered in the child’s home and in the child’s school setting and includes input from parents, teachers and school officials.   

 

This program provides therapeutic services such as teaching problem solving skills, anger management skills and other treatment methods as needed.  These services are designed to maximize the child’s strengths and reduce behavior problems in school and at home.