Early Childhood & Adolescent Mental Health Services
At The Center for Health Care Services, we understand the importance of early intervention, and how effective it can be at preventing more severe, lasting conditions as a child grows up. Through a multitude of programs and services designed to promote mental and behavioral health including crisis stabilization, psychiatric evaluations and ongoing therapy and support, The Center is committed to enhancing the lives of children and families right here in Bexar County.
Programs
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
Serving children ages 0 – 3
chcs-eci.org
The Center’s ECI program assures that families with young children with developmental delays have the resources and support they need to reach their goals. ECI includes Specialized Skills Training (SST), case management, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, caregiver education and support services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or medical conditions leading to developmental delays, and who reside in the following Bexar County School Districts:
- San Antonio ISD
- East Central ISD
- Harlandale ISD
- Somerset ISD
- Southside ISD
If you live in a different school district in Bexar County you can make a referral to the program and your referral will be sent forward to the ECI program serving your school district.
How do I know if ECI is right for my baby?
Healthy Outcomes through Early Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) Program
Outpatient Mental Health Services for Children & Adolescents
Being mentally healthy in childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones, learning healthy social skills, and how to cope when problems arise. When there is a concern that a child might not be meeting these milestones, The Center offers an array of services that can help.
Our goal is to strengthen and support families by providing services for an array of issues, including:
- Sadness or depression
- Fear or anxiety
- Persistent nightmares
- Low self-esteem
- Social isolation
- Harming self or others
- Behavioral problems
- Academic problems
- Running away and truancy
- School bullying
- Parenting support
- Child abuse/assault
- Divorce
- Grief/loss
- History of trauma
Children’s mental health treatment is for Bexar County youth ages 3 – 17 with a DSM-V Diagnosis, and includes the following services:
- skills training
- counseling
- medication training and support
- psychiatric evaluation and medication monitoring
- family partner support
How to enroll in Children's Behavioral Health Services through CHCS
To enroll a child in services, start by calling (210) 261-CHCS (2427) to begin the registration process. The enrollment screening process is done Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Children’s Behavioral Health Clinic at Bandera: 6812 Bandera Road, Suite 102, San Antonio, Texas 78238.
In the event of a mental health crisis including suicidal or homicidal thoughts, please call the 24-Hour Crisis & Substance Use Helpline at (800) 316-9241 or (210) 223-SAFE (7233). Please call 911 if harm to self or harm to others is imminent.
The Center helps children and adolescents find hope, determine their path to wellness, and discover their way to an independent, productive life.
For more information, or to enroll in services, please call: (210) 261-CHCS (2427)
Good Health and Wellbeing: Children 101
Mental health and wellness is essential for a child to live an independent, productive life full of positive experiences. Because a child’s development begins with the love and encouragement they receive from parents and caregivers, it’s important to:
- Establish healthy habits: nutritious food, adequate sleep, and exercise
- Provide a safe and secure home
- Give children unconditional love
- Nurture a child’s confidence and self-esteem
- Make time for play
- Provide fair and consistent guidance and discipline
- Teach your children healthy ways to manage stress and bounce back from adversity
- Help your child maintain emotional balance by teaching them resiliency
- Take care of your own mental health!
How We Help
If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health condition like anxiety, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! The Center for Health Care Services can help. Our Child Behavioral Health Division offers the following comprehensive services.
In the event of a mental health crisis including suicidal or homicidal thoughts, please call the 24-Hour Crisis & Substance Use Helpline at 800-316-9241 or 210-223-SAFE (7233). If harm to self or others is imminent, call 9-1-1.
The CHCS team helps people find hope, determine their path to wellness, and discover their way to an independent, productive life.
- assessment
- skills training
- counseling
- case management
- medication training and support
- psychiatric evaluation and medication monitoring
- training
- family partner support
