Social Services Children Mental Health

Childrens Therapeutic Support Services (CTSS)

What?
CTSS is a flexible rehabilitative mental health package covered by the MN Health Care Program. CTSS address mental health disorders that impair individuals abilities to function independently. An individual treatment plan is developed and CTSS are delivered and designed to reach the treatment goals of the plan. Services covered by CTSS include: Psychotherapy for the planned and structured treatment of a child's mental health disorder Skills training involving the child and family delivered by a mental health professional to help the child gain age appropriate social and interpersonal skills. Crisis assistance to develop a plan that includes strategies for prevention of crisis and intervention following a crisis, including crisis placement and emotional support for the family. Mental Health Behavioral Aide services to provide medically necessary one-on-one mental health treatment delivered by a mental health practitioner with the goal of developing and maintaining skills. Where do children receive these services? CTSS are provided primarily in the childs home, but may also be provided in the childs school, home of a relative or natural parent, at a recreational setting, or at the childs day care center. Everyone kept asking me if I had tried CTSS for Devin, but I had no idea what that acronym meant. Once I found out what services were under this program, I jumped on board. The Mental Health Behavioral Aide, under this program, really helped Devin learn some skills on how to deal with off task and impulsive behaviors.

Who?
Children through age 20 who require varying levels of intervention to address conditions of Emotional Disturbance/Severe Emotional Disturbance that impair their ability to function independently. To determine eligibility for CTSS, click here and scroll down to the section about eligible recipients.

Where?
Find more information about CTSS on the MN Department of Human Services website. For more information on childrens mental health in general, visit the MN Department of Human Services website.

-Lindsey, parent