What is Altacare?

Altacare and the public school system work in partnership to provide mental health services for children and their families in the schools.  In Montana, school based therapy programs are called Comprehensive School Based and Community Treatment (CSCT).  School Based Treatment within the existing community structure is a preferred option to address modern children’s mental health concerns.  The programs provide a range of services in the schools to children and families seeking assistance with difficulties in their lives.  Services include mental health assessment, coordination with teachers and coordination with other services such as outpatient therapy, medication management, or case management.  A team of two mental health providers, a therapist and a mental health associate, who work exclusively in the school setting, provide the services to clients.

 

           


Mission Statement

Altacare’s mission is to create a collaborative partnership with State of Montana, Community Agencies, School District, and parents to provide mental health services to children in the least restrictive environment as possible.

 

Vision Statement

Altacare’s in partnership with parents and school districts to provide a quality early intervention service designed to allow children to succeed in their educational setting, their community, and hopefully in their lives.

 

Contact Information

 

Glendive Elementary Altacare Program

Jefferson School                 Lincoln School

800 Jefferson School Rd                          213 S. Nowlan

Glendive, MT 59330               Glendive, MT 59330

(406) 377-4155                            (406) 377-2308

Therapist: Mary Geiger, MS, C.R.C

geigerm@glendiveschools.com

Mental Health Associate: Kortney Eiker

eikerc@glendiveschools.com

 

Eastern Region Supervisor

Calvin Mann, LCPC

Billings, MT 59201

(406) 672-4308

                  

Altacare Director  Altacare Coordinators

Dave Bennetts                 Jennifer D’Arcy

55 Basin Creek Rd      Renee O’Keefe

Butte, MT 59701                      55 Basin Creek Rd

1-800-477-1067              Butte, MT 59701

                                    1-800-477-1067

 

               

 

Glendive Elementary Schools

Altacare Program

 

 

Serving students in

Jefferson Elementary School

and

Lincoln Elementary School

 

           

 

Mary Geiger, MS, C.R.C

Therapist

 

Kortney Eiker

Mental Health Associate

 

               

 

*Altacare is a sister company of ACADIA MONTANA
Who can benefit from Altacare?

We work with school-aged children whose struggles with life challenges impair their relationships, schoolwork, self-esteem, and general well being.  Childhood is filled with many upsets, which most often heal without the intervention of therapy.  However, some of life’s bumps are bigger than others and some children have not gained the skills to cope yet.  Such life challenges might include divorce, loss of a loved one, neglect, familial mental or physical illness, familial substance abuse, domestic violence, physical abuse, learning disabilities, or peer discord. 

 

Behavioral indications that a child may benefit from therapy:

·         Low self-esteem

·         Excessive anger, worry, sadness, or fear

·         Behavior which is immature for child’s age

·         Behavior which interferes with making friends

·         Problems eating, sleeping, or elimination

·         Preoccupation with sexual behavior

·         Physical symptoms which have not know medical cause such as headaches or stomachaches

·         Difficulty adjusting to family changes

·         Excessive shyness

·         Talking about not wanting to live

 

Clients must be approved through the following levels in the admission process:

1.       Parent or guardian must agree to the medical appropriateness of the service for the child or adolescent

2.       Clinical appropriateness determined

3.       School approval of placement in program

4.       Utilization Review (i.e. Managed Care for Medicaid and Non-Medicaid clients, or insurance reviewer depending on policy

5.       Financial approval (i.e. current Medicaid or Non-Medicaid enrollment, private insurance or private pay)

Why refer a child to Altacare?

Altacare is a school-based counseling service dedicated to helping students with mental health needs.  Our desire is to work within the school system and coordinate with school professionals to help students be successful in the school and community environments.  Therapy offers a safe way to support or even hasten recovery for children who struggle to cope with life’s ups and downs. 

 

Therapy can help children cope with trauma such as:

·         Chronic illness, hospitalizations, surgery

·         Illness or injury of a family member

·         Divorce or separation of parents

·         Death of a close family member or friend

·         Natural disaster

·         Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

·         Witness to domestic violence

 

The benefits of therapy include:

·         Increased communications between the school and hard to reach families

·         On site mental health services for children, meeting their needs within the community and school environment rather than sending them elsewhere

·         Enhanced growth and development of children involved

·         Enhanced total quality of care for children with mental health needs

·         Increased communications with other community resources

·         Child’s ability to function within the school increased as mental health needs are addressed

                       
What are the services Altacare offers?

Montana licensed or licensing Masters’ level clinicians provide group, individual and family counseling, and supervise behavior and skill building programs.  Examples of issues covered might include grief, anger management, impulse control, dealing with trauma, goal setting, resiliency development, adjustment to life stressors, positive self-expression, positive self-regard, and/or thinking strategies. 

Mental Health Associates provide skill building in such areas as making friends, conflict resolution, bullying, peer pressure, study skills, using social graces, and character development.  Additionally, they provide supervision on the playground, in the lunchroom to intervene in potential crisis and model and reinforce developing skill on the spot.

 

Services offered: (at a minimum)

·         Individual Therapy two times per month

·         Family Therapy one time per month

·         Therapeutic Process Group two times per week

·         Psycho-Educational Groups three times per week.  This may include:

o        Second Step Anger Management Group

o        Recreation Skills Group

o        Assertiveness Training Group

o        Communication Skills Group

o        Problem Solving/Coping Skill Development

·         Social Skills training throughout the day

·         General case management efforts will be provided daily for each child

·         A crisis plan will be developed for each child

 

Additional Services available:

·         Behavioral support in school setting

·         Psychiatric Consultation

·         Referral to additional Community Programs

·         Crisis Intervention