Early Intervention Therapy For At-Risk Children
Early Prevention in the Community (EPIC) is a voluntary program that targets children, ages 5-12, with a current mental health diagnosis. This program offers individual and group counseling, activity therapy groups, linkage to community resources and advocacy for children and their families at school and in the community. EPIC services are available to children who are identified as high risk in grades one through three.
At the onset of the EPIC program, teachers are asked to identify one or more of the following mental health issues: hyperactivity, impulsivity, lack of attention, aggression, destructive behavior, defiant behavior, and depression. The goal is to intervene before children begin exhibiting more dramatic maladaptive behaviors requiring more intensive, restrictive services away from their home and community.
Children who need additional help receive a comprehensive mental health assessment, and may receive therapy, counseling and rehabilitative services as well as advocacy in their families, schools, and communities. Services in the EPIC program include individual or group therapy. These children also benefit from case management and consultation services.
Teachers and other school personnel receive consultation services, as well as counseling and rehabilitative services on behalf of the child. EPIC staff support school personnel in identifying the best learning environment for the child, establishing and maintaining communication with the child’s family, and promoting educational values as needed. EPIC staff attend case staffing to facilitate problem solving and encourage a collaborative relationship in developing mental health and educational service plans.
The Early Prevention in the Community program is offered in the Northern Region.