Collaboration is an essential component of helping a child or adolescent heal from a mental or behavioral health condition. At Altacare, we partner with schools throughout Montana as we work to support students and families throughout the state.
Partnerships with Schools: Altacare’s Model
Learn how Altacare partners with Montana schools
At Altacare, we are pleased to partner with schools throughout Montana to deliver on-site therapeutic services in the educational environment. Elementary, middle, and high schools throughout our state have adopted a tiered model of behavioral support that is based on Montana Behavioral Institute (MBI) programming. This means that all students learn about expectations for appropriate behavior at school through consistent modeling, instruction, and positive reinforcement. Most students respond to primary and secondary interventions like classroom lessons from their school counselor on social skills, small groups focused on making friends, mentorship opportunities, or short-term individual counseling sessions with their school counselor.
But students who have an untreated mental health concern often require additional support in the learning environment. These children and teens might have a psychiatric condition that significantly impacts their ability to access their education. Their therapeutic needs are typically beyond what school staff is able to address or treat in the classroom. Altacare is a tertiary intervention designed to meet the needs of these students in the school setting.
Who We Serve
Who qualifies for Altacare’s services?
In order to qualify for Altacare’s services, students must meet our diagnostic criteria and must have exhausted less intensive supports available to them at their school. Some of the most common disorders we treat include:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Child and parent relational problems
Eligible students must reside in the appropriate school district and must be currently enrolled at their designated regular school building, or have a permissive transfer granted. At this time, Altacare is pleased to accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Healthy Montana Kids, and Medicaid. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept students with a conduct disorder diagnosis or a substance use disorder diagnosis.
Our Programming
Details of treatment with Altacare
Altacare’s therapeutic teams consist of licensed or license-eligible mental health counselors and behavioral intervention specialists. These professionals deliver on-site therapeutic interventions at our clients’ schools and coordinate with school staff to integrate these services appropriately. Our services are designed to meet the needs of each student within our care and may include:
- Individual therapy two times per month
- Family therapy once per month
- Therapeutic process groups two times per month
- Psychoeducational groups three times per month
- Behavioral support in the school setting (in the classroom, cafeteria, playground, etc.)
- Psychiatric consultation
- Referral to additional community resources
- Crisis intervention