Family Services & Mental Health Programs

Family Services & Mental Health Programs offer a continuum of care for the region's families, including child welfare, family stabilization, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment and support services for families with children and youth (ages 0-21) at risk of, or in need of, out-of-home care (foster care ages 0-18).

Services help children and youth become part of a safe and permanent living situation. We offer qualifying children, youth and families high levels of support and intensive wraparound services including:

  • Mental health counseling for youth and families
  • Foster care placement services
  • In-home Family preservation
  • In-home Family reunification services
  • Behavioral support services
  • Clinical case management
  • On-site psychiatric appointments
  • 24-hour crisis consultation and outreach support
  • Coaching and advocacy

We offer ongoing training and support to our foster parents, some of whom have been with us for as long as 30 years. These services are made possible through our partnership with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Our in-home and reunification and stabilization services offer support for state-referred families who are at risk of having a child or youth placed in out-of-home care, or whose children and youth are returning to the care of their family.

Therapists work with the child and their family to establish good communication, clear and appropriate structure, strong attachments and relationships, coping skills and the tangible resources needed for family and child well-being. We believe that treatment should be strength-focused, solution-based and community-based.

Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe)

WISe is a voluntary service that uses a team approach to meet a child/youth's needs. It provides intensive mental health services to support youth and their family to meet their goals. The focus of WISe is:

  • To provide intensive mental health services designed to assist children, youth, and their families in achieving wellness, safety, and to strengthen relationships within their community.
  • To develop an individualized care plan, based on strengths and needs that respect their family culture, norms, and preferences.
  • Within the team approach, team members include natural supports (such as family, friends, and religious leaders) and the professionals who work with the family (such as counselors, schools, CPS, and probation officers).
  • To offer services and supports in locations and at times that work best for children, youth, and families (including in the house or a public location of choice, and on evenings or weekends).
  • To identify or provide resources and supports for children, youth, and their families.
  • To provide help during a time of crisis.

For more information about WISe, visit the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) website.

Eligibility

  • Specifically for YMCA WISe program: currently in foster care; reside in King County.
  • For individuals, up to 21 years of age, with complex behavioral health needs, that could benefit from a higher level of care or is at risk of out of home placement.
  • Individual is Medicaid Eligible.
  • ANYONE can make a referral to WISe.
  • Screening requirements:
    • Medicaid Eligibility (Coordinated Care).
    • Completion of a CANS Screen (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths).
    • Meet the CANS Screening Algorithm.
    • Meet the Access to Care Standards (standards used by mental health agencies to get the right level of services to individuals).

Referral Information

To make a referral for WISe services, please contact:

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