Community-Based Services in Pennsylvania

Assertive Community Treatment Teams are comprised of mental health professionals who provide comprehensive support services to individuals with serious or persistent mental illness or behavioral health needs. Assertive Community Treatment Teams aim to promote opportunities for recovery, rehabilitation, and independence by teaching coping skills, fostering community integration, and reducing crises such as homelessness or hospitalizations. Services offered include assessments, psychiatric care, substance use treatment, case management, skills training, housing and employment assistance, and education on mental health and medication management, among others. Medicaid coverage is typically required for access.

Behavioral health rehabilitation services encompass a variety of individualized behavior management, treatment, and rehabilitation services primarily delivered in homes, schools, and community settings in partnership with individuals aged 21 or under who are dealing with serious mental health issues. These trauma-informed services may include behavior specialist consultant services, mobile therapy, summer therapeutic activities programs, and therapeutic staff support services. Behavioral health rehabilitation services are designed with flexible scheduling to accommodate the needs of the individuals and families receiving support.

RHA’s focus is on helping individuals live fulfilling lives by setting and achieving personal goals, building meaningful connections, and improving their health and wellness. Our Blended Case Management program connects individuals with essential services, including crisis intervention, while a dedicated case manager supports them in creating a recovery plan, accessing needed resources, and offering life skills courses to promote self-sufficiency.

Certified Peer Support provides recovery-focused assistance to individuals aged 18 and older dealing with mental illness or substance use issues. Certified Peer Support Specialists help individuals manage their recovery and develop self-advocacy skills. These specialists, who have personal experience with recovery, offer guidance, hope, and inspiration to those in the early stages of recovery. To be eligible, individuals must be 18 or older, diagnosed with a mental illness and present with functional impairment, and a recipient of Magellan Managed Care with agreement that Certified Peer Support will benefit their recovery.

Children enrolled in the Children’s Blended Case Management program are assigned a dedicated Children’s Blended Case Manager who provides support in various settings, including home, school, and medical appointments. This role also involves coordinating all necessary services, both within RHA and with community partners, tailored to meet the unique well-being needs of each child and their family. The program specifically serves children aged six years or younger diagnosed with mental illness or emotional disturbances who meet certain criteria, ensuring they receive comprehensive mental health support.

Family-based mental health services support families in caring for their children with serious mental illnesses within their home environment. The family-based team works in partnership with community resources to foster independence, empowerment, and self-sufficiency by identifying and leveraging individual and family strengths. Their focus is on strengthening family bonds and reducing barriers to prevent out-of-home placement. Families eligible for these services typically have children aged 21 or younger enrolled in school with serious mental illnesses, risk of out-of-home placement, involvement with multiple systems, and prescriptions for services from medical professionals, with at least one adult family member participating in the program.

RHA’s Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services aim to enhance all aspects necessary for a fulfilling life. In the program, RHA staff works in partnership with individuals to identify their specific needs, offering skill-building opportunities. Participants play an active role in crafting and overseeing their recovery plans, fostering a comprehensive approach that encompasses the four environments of choice: living, learning, socializing, and working. Our trauma-informed services promote personal growth and recovery using physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual practices.