LAUREL LIFE SERVICES

Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS)

Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS) are therapeutic interventions available to children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 21 who have been diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance, a serious social problem, and/or behavioral problems. BHRS is the new name for services formerly known as Wraparound. BHRS are provided to the client in the school, home, and/or community setting. Services include Therapeutic Staff Support, Dynamic Group Intervention, Mobile Therapy, Behavioral Specialist Consultant Services, and Functional Behavioral Assessments. The focus of our program is to provide treatment in the least restrictive environment, while maintaining the child within his or her natural setting. The service "wraps" the child, providing individualized treatment in a familiar environment.

Locations:

• 310 Lortz Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201
  Phone: 717.263.7160


• 1710 Ritner Highway, Suite 5, Carlisle, PA 17013
  Phone: 717.243-1326


• 217 South Carlisle Street, P.O. Box 718, New Bloomfield, PA 17068
  Phone: 717.582-9922

Program Services:

• Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS)
  The TSS provides one-on-one intervention to a child at school, home, or community settings. TSS can provide a number of interventions, such as, crisis intervention, emotional support, problem solving, time structuring activities, and behavioral modification strategies.


• Mobile Therapist (MT)
  The MT provides therapy to a child and family in settings other than an agency or office (typically the home and/or school settings). The MT can provide individual therapy with the child, family treatment with any or all family members, or treatment with the child and other caregivers.


• Behavioral Specialist Consultant (BSC)
  A BSC is assigned to a case to design and direct the implementation of a behavioral modification plan. The BSC monitors the treatment provided by the TSS and collaborates with family members and other professionals in order to ensure delivery of quality services.


• Dynamic Group Intervention (DGI)
  DGI is a new and innovative service only offered by Laurel Life. DGI staff provide TSS services to multiple clients at the same time. One DGI staff may simultaneously serve as many as three clients who are in the same location at the same time. This service is not part of the regular Medical Assistance Fee Schedule. DGI was developed and proposed by Laurel Life staff in 2005 and approved by DPW. DGI works best for siblings at home or in the community or clients assigned to the same self-contained classroom in the school setting.


• Psychological Evaluations Doctoral level clinical psychologists and psychological associates conduct evaluations every four months to review client progress, determine ongoing medical need for services, and make recommendations for appropriate levels of care. Ongoing psychological care is required for Behavioral Health Rehabilitation services. Evaluations for BHRS are conducted by Laurel Life evaluators or by partner agencies. Laurel Life staff will assist clients in scheduling BHRS evaluations.

Process of Obtaining Services
BHRS are implemented based on the recommendation of a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, agreed upon by an interagency treatment team, and, ultimately authorized by the Managed Care Organization. Medical necessity for services and eligibility for Medical Assistance are required to receive services. A client can receive any combination of MT, BSC, and TSS services.

Services are authorized in periods of time not exceeding four months and must be reauthorized every four months. There may be exceptions to the length of authorization period for those individuals who have are classified as having a diagnosis falling within the Autism Spectrum Disorders. The length of the authorization in this case may be as long as one year and is based upon the need of the individual with supporting documentation and recommendation by the evaluating psychologist. Initial authorization of services for all individuals receives services often requires a waiting period of 60 days from referral during which services are prescribed, discussed in a team meeting, and reviewed for medical necessity.

Outcomes Measured:

• Reports of consumer satisfaction
• Increase in pro-social behavior and positive self-management skills
• Reduce out-of-home placement
• Increase in skills caregivers can utilize when working with the client

Funding
BHRS are funded by the Office of Medical Assistance Programs. In all Pennsylvania counties, OMAP contracts with behavioral health managed care organizations to administer BHRS funding and authorize services.