General Information
What type of services does BPCC provide children and adolescents?
BPCC provides therapeutic services for children from ages 3 to 21. BPCC currently has 3 outpatient programs (Adolescent Adaptive Skills Training Program, Outpatient Day treatment Program and Community Autism Intervention Program) and 3 inpatient residential programs (Therapeutic Foster Care, Short Term Treatment and Evaluation Program and Intensive Residential Treatment Program).
What types of emotional and behavior problems does BPCC treat?
BPCC provides clinical service for a variety of emotional and behavior problems such as aggression, hyperactivity and inattention, impulsivity, depression, anxiety, self-injurious behavior, interpersonal and communication difficulties, learning difficulties, excessive rule breaking and defiance of authority.
How much will it cost for my child to receive services from BPCC?
BPCC uses a sliding fee scale that is based on your family’s income. Services are also paid for through Medicaid, All-Kids, the Department of Human Resources, the Department Mental Health/Mental Retardation and Multi-Needs teams.
How is my child’s privacy protected?
BPCC follows federal and state laws regarding your private health and medical information. BPCC keeps all information you provide us confidential and only provides other parties access to your information with your written permission in accordance with HIPPA regulations.
Does BPCC provide outpatient or family therapy to people in the community?
BPCC does not provide outpatient therapy to individuals who are not enrolled in one of our programs. Clients who attend residential and outpatient school programs receive therapeutic services during the school day.
What type of education services does BPCC provide?
BPCC serves children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Special education services are provided in accordance with federal and state regulations. BPCC also follows the Alabama Courses of Study and students participate in standardized testing through the Alabama Student Assessment Program. BPCC administers the Alabama Alternate Assessment (AAA), Alabama High School Graduate Exam, Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT), Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) and the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT).
Can I volunteer at BPCC?
BPCC does not accept volunteers. Individuals who are interested in employment or field placement/internships should refer to the University of Alabama employment website, contact their academic advisor in their educational department, or BPCC’s main office at (205) 348-7236 for more information.
Clinical Services
What type of professionals work with clients?
Each program has an interdisciplinary clinical treatment team that consists of professionals from psychiatry, counseling or social work, education, nutrition and nursing who work together to ensure that all aspects of children’s development are addressed.
What specific services does BPCC provide?
Each program provides specific services based on the individual needs of clients. Common services at BPCC include individual and group therapy, specialized educational assistance, medication monitoring and administration, psychological testing, social skill training, day treatment groups and basic/ independent living skills education. We also make referrals to other agencies for specialized services that are not provided at BPCC.
Emotional and Behavior Problems
How do I know if my child needs professional help?
Many children experience difficulties as they grow and develop. One of the best ways to determine if your child needs professional help is to consult with your child’s doctor, school or local mental health agency. If your child has chronic problems that persist for extended time periods, prevent them from functioning at home or school or making friends; has problems with their mood (feeling sad, worried, or angry often) or thoughts to harm themselves or others, they may benefit from professional services.
What causes emotional and behavior disorders in children?
Children may develop emotional and behavior disorders for a variety of reasons. Some biological and environmental factors such as genetics, medical problems, neglect or abuse, exposure to violence, prolonged stress or important losses (death or separation from family or loved ones) put children at risk for developing emotional and behavior disorders.
Where can I find information about mental health issues in children?
The internet provides a host of information regarding mental health issues. When looking for information on the internet you should ensure that the information is reliable. The Resources for Parents page has a list of websites that are good starting points. Your local library is also a good place to begin learning more about mental health issues.
Admissions and Referrals from Agencies
Where can I receive referral information from?
Agencies can contact BPCC’s main office at (205) 348-7236, contact the coordinator of the specific program they are interested in making a referral or download a referral application from the website.
What type of documentation should be included with the referral application?
The BPCC referral packet asks you to provide information the center needs to determine if clients are appropriate for admission. Individual programs may also ask you to provide additional documentation to assist them in the referral process. This information may include psychological evaluations, educational records, court documents related to a client’s custody or legal status, or medical information regarding health status or problems.
Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC)
How can I become a foster parent?
You can become a foster parent by completing a series of training classes to care for children who have emotional and behavior difficulties. You must also pass a background check, comply with the Department of Human Resources “minimum standards for foster family homes” and be willing and able to care for children and teenagers who have emotional and behavioral difficulties by providing an emotionally and physically safe living environment.
Can I choose to adopt a foster child?
Each child’s situation is different. Some children enter foster care temporally, while others are placed in foster care long term and are eligible for adoption.
