Children's Mental Health services are available for residents of Carver County in which children are having significant challenges with ongoing functioning due to their mental health. Services are available to children with an emotional disturbance who meet at least on of the four following criteria: 

• The child has been admitted within the last three years or is at risk of being admitted to inpatient treatment or residential treatment for an emotional disturbance. 
• The child is a Minnesota resident and is receiving inpatient treatment or residential treatment for an emotional disturbance through the interstate compact.
• A mental health professional has determined that a child has psychosis or clinical depression; is at risk for harming self or others as a result of an emotional disturbance; is showing signs of psycho-pathological symptoms as a result of being a victim of physical or sexual abuse or some other type of psychic trauma. 

• The child, as a result of an emotional disturbance, has significantly impaired home, school, or community functioning that has lasted one year or that, in the opinion of a mental health professional, presents substantial risk of lasting at least one year. 

A diagnostic assessment done by a mental health professional is needed to verify emotional disturbance criteria eligibility and that assessment must be current with-in six months of the children’s mental health services request date. If a current diagnostic assessment is not available at the time of the service request, Carver County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) will provide information to households about how to arrange for this assessment.  

What to Expect

The social worker will plan to meet with the caregiver and the child, both together and separately to: 

• Complete additional functional assessment and mental health screening tools, 
• Gather developmental and behavioral detail about the child,  
• Identify strengths and needs of both the child and their household, and,
• Identify family, friends, other supports , and other professionals who are involved with the child.  

The social worker will meet together with the caregiver and child to develop a crisis plan to be shared with the child’s support network and to be used in high stress, high risk situations  to create safety. 

The social worker will continue to meet together with the caregiver and child to develop a children’s mental health map that outlines  measurable goals as well as next steps for services and interventions to support the child’s needs, functioning, well-being, and stability.

Both the caregiver and the child will meet face to face with the social worker at least monthly to review their efforts toward these goals and the social worker will connect with providers and support network members as needed.  

Referrals

A referral for Children’s Mental Health Case Management Services for a child residing in Carver County can be made by contacting Carver County Health and Human Services intake at 952-361-1600. 

The following information about the child and household is needed at the time of referral: 

• Full legal names, dates of birth, addresses and phone numbers of caregiver and child
• Medical insurance information
• Reason for referral,
• Presenting safety concerns
• Presenting strengths and needs
• Existing services in the home, school, or elsewhere
• Family willingness to engage in services
• Anticipated outcome of case management services

More timely services can be provided when diagnostic information is shared with the Intake social worker.

Additional information on how to Refer a Child for Children’s Mental Health Services in outlined in Minnesota Statute sections 245.487 to 245.4888.

Parents can obtain information on Developmental Disability Services and Autism Services by contacting the Home and Community-Based Care Department at (952) 361-1999 or email to HCBCIntake@co.carver.mn.us. 

Behavioral Health’s Outpatient Therapy provides mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. Call (952) 442-4437 to make an appointment.