Medicaid Services

These services are available to a child or adult who is Iowa Medicaid eligible. A child is referred by a current provider, a social services worker, Juvenile Court officer, a parent, guardian, or foster parent for an evaluation by a Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts. An eligible adult is referred by a current provider, mental health professional, or self-referred for an evaluation by a Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts. If the evaluation finds a diagnosable mental health condition, then the Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) may refer the adult/child and their family for Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS). Any child or adult who is Medicaid eligible and has a diagnosable mental health condition is eligible for BHI Services.

Independent of the Iowa Department of Human Services, BHI Services are designed to help a child and their family learn skills that will help alleviate the symptoms of that child's mental health condition that are presenting barriers to their level of functioning. Adult services are designed to help teach the adult client skills to enhance independent living, social, and communication skills that minimize or eliminate psychological barriers to the client's ability to effectively manage the symptoms associated with their identified mental health condition.

BHI Services are ordered by the LPHA, approved by Magellan Health Services, and provided by a Family Connections, Inc. BHI Services provider. While the LPHA evaluations are in-office, any BHI Services ordered can be provided in the client's home. Family Connections provides an ease in transition from an evaluation to BHI Services by providing both services.

Medicaid Individual and Family Therapy

In addition to LPHA Evaluations and Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS),  Family Connections also has the capacity to accept therapy cases funded through Iowa Medicaid (title 19) for in-office therapy for children and parents or adults. These services are designed to address each client's individual therapeutic needs through individual mental health therapy. Again, any child or adult who is Medicaid eligible may be eligible for in-office mental health therapy serviceswith one of Family Connections Licensed Mental Health Practitioners.

Private Pay Therapy

With approval from the Executive Directors of Family Connections, clients who are not Medicaid eligible or who are without accepted private insurance may be eligible for therapy services at a predetermined rate. Please contact Brian Fuller or Trent Rice, the Executive Directors of Family Connections, for more information regarding these services.

Private Insurance

Family Connections, Inc. works with several private insurance companies to provide mental health therapy. Please contact Brian Fuller or Trent Rice, the Executive Directors of Family Connections, for more information regarding the acceptance of your insurance.

Court Ordered Consultations, Home Studies, and Visitation

Family Connections, Inc. works with the court system in custody matters, divorce issues, and Juvenile Court proceedings to provide evaluations, assessements, and home studies. In addition, to provide supervised visitation to parents when ordered by the court. Please contact Brian Fuller or Trent Rice, the Executive Directors of Family Connections, or have your attorney contact one of the Executive Directors of Family Connections, Inc. for more information regarding the services we provide for court proceedings and the associated rate for such services.

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Classes/Groups

Anger Management Program

Family Connections recognizes there are obstacles and stresses in life that can cause us to be angry.  Sometimes we find it difficult to control our anger or to find the right ways to express our anger to others.  Family Connections is here to help.  Family Connections Anger Management Programs offer anger management classes for youth, teens, and adults that address relevant topics such as:

How to Tame Your Dragon

We all have a "dragon" inside....some of us are just better at "taming" it than others.  Come and join a group of your peers(children and teens) to learn new ways to "tame your dragon" and how to deal with it when someone "unleashes" their "dragon" on you.  Please contact us at 712.256.4420 for further details on class dates, time, and availability.

Boiling Point

Learn skills to "turn down the heat" on your anger and find new ways to cope with difficult situations.  Family Connections. Boiling Point Anger Management class for adults meets weekly for six weeks to address issues related to your anger, its triggers, and how to deal with it in your life.  Please contact us at 712.256.4420 for further details on class dates, times, and availability. 

Telehealth

Family Connections, Inc. has partnered with the  Premier Psych (Premier)Telehealth Program  to announce the expansion of services into the state of Iowa.  Telehealth is defined as the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care.  During the fourth quarter of 2013, Premier established telehealth programs at residential facilities in both Clarinda and Woodward, Iowa.  After only three months, Premier has provided psychiatric care to nearly 130 patients at the facilities.  Premier CEO, Walt Duffy, MD, is excited about the programs and how well the care team and patients have embraced telehealth technology in the delivery of care.  "We are thrilled to be a part of the care team at these facilities by removing the barrier of distance through our secure Premier Telecommunication Network" said Dr. Duffy.
Premier also recently opened a Telehealth Clinic located in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Psychiatric evaluation and follow up care services are available to patients of all ages that reside in and around Council Bluffs through the use of new Lifesize telehealth system. The telehealth clinic is located with Family Connections at 500 Willow Avenue, Suite 305.  Appointments are available to patients within a few days based on Premier's prompt access to care priority.  To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call 877-926-8867 or visit Premier's website at premierpsych.com

Parent/Foster Parent Continuing Education Classes

Family Connections, Inc. is now providing a crisis parenting class from a certified trainer of crisis parenting.  This class will teach parents/foster parents/caregivers strategies for effectively dealing with problem issues that may be present in their home with their children.  Our certified trainer will provide effective techniques for helping to empower parents/foster parents/caregivers to be more effective in discipline and overall parenting.  This course is available at your location for groups and in the office for individuals.  Please contact Family Connections, Inc. for more information or for any questions you may have on this class.

Antibullying Class

Family Connections, Inc. also provides information and training on ways to combat bullying.  We understand the impact that this issue has on kids many times in silent ways and have dedicated a program to help deal with this issue.  While mostly offered in the Council Bluffs Community Schools, Family Connections, Inc. is also willing to provide training and information to groups as well.  For more information, please contact Family Connections, Inc. or if your child is in the Council Bluffs Community School District, please contact your principal to express your interest in this program at their school. 

Building Blocks!!

Frustrated with your kids? Do you want to learn more effective ways to communicate and deal with behaviors? Then Building Blocks is for you. A FREE parenting course for parents of children ages 0-6yrs. Free daycare provided as well, call for more information at 712.256.4420.

Substance Abuse Evaluations

In need of substance abuse help? Call us for the first step in getting assistance. Our licensed alcohol and drug counselor will provide you with the tools to begin treatment by conducting an evaluation and thorough assessment for adolescents or adults.  Call our office for more details on pricing and availabilty.

Teen Talk: Surviving the Teen Years

This interactive parenting class will teach both parents (and/or guardians) AND adolescents everything they want to know about those teenage questions and how to help each other through the challenges that come up in these years.  Two of our therapists, Celine Monif, MS, TLMHC and Colleen Brazil, MSW, LISW will skillfully divide parents and teens up to talk about the subjects on their minds and then bring the groups back together to discuss the topics that parents and teens alike most want answers to. 

Ages 12-18 teens, parents, guardians, family members are all welcome to join us on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-7:30pm to tackle questions and participate in activities on behavior, development, communications, mental health, and more that will help answer those questions and bring on the positive change that you are looking for! Anyone and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!! Its FREE!!!!!! For more information about the classes, please call 712.256.4420.