Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS)

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) is an intensive, individualized, one-to-one behavioral coaching program available to children/youth up to age 21 who are experiencing a current emotional or behavioral challenge or experiencing a stressful life transition. TBS is only available to children/youth with full-scope Medi-Cal benefits who are receiving ongoing mental health services.

TBS can help children/youth and parents/caregivers learn skills to increase successful behaviors and learn new ways of reducing challenging behaviors. TBS is not a stand-alone service; it supports an ongoing primary mental health service such as mental health therapy or case management.

TBS is available to children/youth who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Child/Youth is placed in a group home facility of RCL 12 or above or in a locked treatment facility for the treatment of mental health needs; or
• Child/Youth is being considered by the county for placement in a facility described above; or
• Child/Youth has undergone at least one emergency psychiatric hospitalization related to his/her current presenting mental health diagnosis within the preceding 24 months; or
• Child/Youth has previously received TBS while a member of the certified class; or Child/youth is at risk of psychiatric hospitalization.