MHDD Services for Children and Youth

Intervention Services

Project B.A.S.I.C.

Project B.A.S.I.C. is a school-based, mental health, early intervention and prevention service, which works with children from Kindergarten through Third grade. Children who demonstrate risk factors are a special service focus.

Objectives of Project B.A.S.I.C. are:

• Identify and refer for treatment children with serious emotional disturbances
• Enhance awareness and capacity for response of school personnel to the mental health needs of children
• Assist children in the development of effective coping skills to deal with normative developmental crises and mental health risk factors
• Promote cooperation and coordination of effort between schools and community mental health service providers.

Program activities include mental health education; early identification and intervention, teacher consultation, and school climate enhancement.

Staff provide effective liaison between families, schools and primary mental health services. B.A.S.I.C. produces low cost, broad-based impact on target students, peers, school personnel and families in rural resource scarce areas.

Services are available in targeted schools that have entered into partnership with a sponsoring mental health agency to conduct the project. Within a school, services are accessible to all students, their parents and teachers. Project B.A.S.I.C. is located in 47 schools in 39 counties across the state.

For further information regarding Project B.A.S.I.C. associated with the TDMHDD Children & Youth Services, please contact Louise Barnes, Ph.D.