Services

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Praxes Behavioral Health specializes in the formulation of essential documentation for both new and existing programs. Our service package includes all necessary revisions requested by regulatory agencies. Additionally, we offer consultation regarding the implementation of the program. Examples of these programs comprise: 




  • Residential facilities, including Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs and group 
  • Foster Family Agencies 
  • Mental Health programs encompassing both outpatient and inpatient services
  • Substance Use programs, including detoxification, residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient services
  • Regional Center programs, which involve vendorization through county or state agencies
  • Requests for proposals
  • Grant Writing
  • Financial Proformas and forecasting

TRAINING


Our training courses address a variety of mental health topics, such as: 

 

  • Behavioral Strategies 
  • Trauma-Informed Care 
  • Diagnosis and Treatment 
  • Foster Youth 
  • Substance Use 


Here is a list of our current courses:


  •   Achieving Permanency through Life Skills
  •   ADHD- Symptoms, Treatment, and Education
  •   Arts as Interventions in Treatment
  •   Assessments for Youth
  •   Bullying Prevention and Early Intervention
  •   CARF Trainings
  •   Child and Family Team
  •   Child Development, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse
  •   Client Sensitivity
  •   Collaborative Documentation
  •   College Readiness
  •   Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth
  •   Crisis Management
  •   Cultural Competence
  •   Documentation
  •   DSM 5 and ICD 10 Crosswalk
  •   Facilitation
  •   Functional Behavior Analysis
  •   Grief and Loss
  •   HIPAA
  •   House Rules and Discipline
  •   Indian Child Welfare Act
  •   Intellectual Disability
  •   Intensive Parent Model Practitioner Training
  •   Intensive Youth Model Practitioner Training
  •   Interventions for Children 0-5
  •   Interventions for Children and Youth on the Autism Spectrum
  •   Law and Ethics
  •   Motivational Interviewing with Youth and Families
  •   Narcan Use
  •   Needs and Services Plan
  •   Personality Disorders
  •   Phases of Treatment
  •   Preparing Caregivers for Special Needs Children
  •   Psychotic Disorders, Assessment and Treatment
  •   Psychotropic Medications
  •   Recreational Activities and Resources
  •   Reducing Law Enforcement Involvement with Foster Youth
  •   Safety of Foster Youth in School
  •   Secondary Trauma/ Work-Life Balance
  •   Sexual and Reproductive Health
  •   Sexual Harassment
  •   Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression
  •   Shared Core Practice Model
  •   Special Needs Clients
  •   Specialty Mental Health Services
  •   Substance Use Treatment
  •   Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention for Youth
  •   Teamwork and Interpersonal Communication
  •   Telehealth and Ethics
  •   TF-CBT Basics
  •   Therapeutic Foster Care Overview
  •   Trauma Informed Care for Youth
  •   Working with Parents


We charge a fee of $225 per hour for the training course or $275 per hour for an additional fee if the session is to be recorded. Furthermore, we provide online training courses that can be purchased through our store.



ACCREDITATION


We provide successful accreditation assistance with the following agencies:

CARF 

COA 

Joint Commission

Preparing for accreditation is a multifaceted process that hinges on three vital components: a well-structured calendar, practical communication tools, and a reliable computer system. Whether your organization is partnering with CARF, the Joint Commission, COA or another accreditation authority, these elements are cru


Calendar: A comprehensive calendar is essential for documenting and tracking activities that occur regularly—be it annually, monthly, or weekly. These documents guide the organization's operations throughout the year and serve as benchmarks for evaluating performance. At year-end, the agency's Executive Director or CEO reviews these crucial documents to gauge their effectiveness and pinpoint areas ripe for enhancement.


Communication: The effectiveness of staff training and educational initiatives cannot be overstated when meeting accreditation standards. Organizations must maintain meticulous records of training sessions. These records should include participant rosters, detailed agendas, and information about the trainers involved, establishing a well-documented history that showcases commitment to continuous improvement.


Computer: Organizations are strongly encouraged to centralize their policy and procedure manuals, streamlining access and minimizing redundancy. This approach enhances operational efficiency and simplifies the process of presenting vital information during a surveyor’s visit.


To ensure a smooth accreditation process, agencies should aim to start their preparations at least one year before the surveyor's visit. By effectively organizing their calendars, refining communication strategies, and optimizing their computer resources, organizations can significantly elevate their readiness for accreditation.

MANAGED CARE


We have successfully established contracts with the following insurance companies on behalf of our clients: 


  • Aetna 
  • Carelon 
  • Evernorth 
  • Holman 
  • Kaiser 
  • Magellan 
  • Optum 
  • TriCare 
  • Uprise 


And many more...


Managed care contracting is a powerful opportunity for your organization to become an esteemed "in-network" provider. This designation not only enhances your credibility but also ensures that you are prominently listed as a preferred provider on the managed care company’s website, attracting more clients to your services. To successfully secure this advantageous status, follow these key steps:

 

1. Complete the Initial Application: This comprehensive form is your gateway to success. It requires essential information about your facility, including the types of services you offer, demographic details (such as address, phone number, and website), staffing qualifications, and other credentials. Taking the time to fill out this application meticulously is vital, as it sets the stage for your future partnership.

 

2. Provide Thorough Documentation: To strengthen your application, submit all necessary documents, including proof of your insurance coverage, licenses, accreditations, and your comprehensive policies and procedures manual. This transparency builds trust with the managed care organization.

 

3. Evaluate and Negotiate Rates: Carefully review the rates proposed by the managed care organization. Depending on your specialty, location, and service demand, there may be room for negotiation. Securing favorable rates can significantly enhance your organization’s financial health, so be prepared to advocate for your needs. If negotiating is not viable, acceptance of the proposed rates will still enable you to proceed with the contracting process.

 

4. Complete the Credentialing Packet: This critical packet details your operations, including billing processes, internal procedures, and utilization reviews. Furthermore, it must confirm that your organization has no pending or past litigation. A well-prepared packet reinforces your professionalism and operational integrity.

 

By diligently following these steps, you will position your organization for success. While the approval process may take several months, rest assured that, upon acceptance, you will gain access to a broader client base and strengthen your organization's reputation in the healthcare community. Embrace this opportunity to elevate your services and expand your reach in the marketplace.



STRTPs

STRTPs (Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs) are the successor to the old group homes in California. When the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) Act was passed in 2015, the state decided to move away from warehousing youths and provide them with temporary programs. STRTPs are designed to stabilize the youth’s emotional and behavioral conditions so they can return to their homes, foster care, or independent living.


Most individuals or non-profit organizations who request assistance in starting an STRTP are drawn by the prospect of making a difference in a youth’s life. The process consists of three steps, depending on the state of licensure:


1.     State Licensure  – to receive an STRTP license, the non-profit must write a Program Statement and Plan of Operations describing the services offered. The requirements come from the State’s Interim Licensing Standards. A trauma-focused approach is essential in every aspect of the program. The documents explain the process from the youth’s intake and admission to their rights, treatment, daily schedule, and how the staff interacts with them.

 

2.     Mental Health Program – the old way of the “group home” was to warehouse the youth until they aged out of the system at age 18. The new approach is to integrate their living with mental health services. In starting an STRTP, the non-profit must develop policies and procedures for providing therapy, crisis intervention, case management, medication services, and other adjunctive treatment. Offering these services onsite reduces the delays in care and improves the likelihood of treatment success. The new STRTP receives a contract for Medi-Cal mental health from their county and then completes the Mental Health Program Approval document. Once the State Department of Health Care Services approves it, they visit the site and approve mental health services. This process also takes approximately one year.

 

3.     Accreditation—Any STRTP must also become accredited by the Joint Commission, the Council on Accreditation (COA), or CARF (formerly the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). Accreditation bodies require an organization to conform to their standards to show that it operates based on quality and accountability. This process takes six months. 

 

QRTPs


What is a QRTP?


Under the Family First Prevention Services Act, a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) is one of the four distinct types of childcare institutions eligible for federal IV-E matching payments after a child has spent their initial two weeks in a congregate care environment. The other three recognized types of childcare institutions include:

 

• A specialized setting that focuses on providing essential prenatal, post-partum, or parenting support tailored for young parents.

• A supervised independent living arrangement that fosters self-sufficiency for older youth.

• A dedicated setting that offers high-quality residential care and crucial support services for children who have experienced or are at significant risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking.

 

Additionally, states have the opportunity to secure IV-E foster care payments for children residing in:

 

• Licensed or state-approved foster family homes, which offer a stable and nurturing environment, or

• Licensed family-based residential facilities specifically designed for parents undergoing substance abuse treatment, allowing them to reunite with their children during recovery.

 

Among these settings, QRTPs are particularly likely to attract federal attention regarding compliance with the Medicaid Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion. To ensure adherence to the standards set forth by the Family First Act, QRTPs must incorporate specific assessments and rigorous oversight for any continued stay within their facilities, demonstrating their commitment to compliance.

 

• Implements a trauma-informed treatment model specifically designed to meet the diverse and complex needs, including the clinical requirements, of children grappling with severe emotional or behavioral disorders.

• Employs registered or licensed nursing staff, alongside other licensed clinical personnel, who are:

  ◦ Operating within their defined state scope of practice,

  ◦ Present on-site in alignment with the QRTP’s therapeutic model,

  ◦ Available around the clock, every day of the week, ensuring continuous support.

• Actively promotes and facilitates family members' involvement in the child's treatment journey, recognizing the crucial role of familial connections in the healing process.

• Diligently engages in outreach efforts to maintain contact with family members, including siblings, and keeps updated contact information for any known biological relatives or those considered fictive kin.

• Thoroughly documents how family members are woven into the treatment framework, illustrating post-discharge connectivity and sibling relationships.

• Provides comprehensive discharge planning alongside family-based aftercare support, ensuring a smooth transition for the child for a minimum of six months following their departure from the program.

• Is fully licensed by the state and accredited by recognized independent organizations such as CARF, COA, or the Joint Commission, ensuring that the program meets the highest standards of care as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.






Moreover, we continually assist our clients in the development of new programs tailored to their evolving needs.





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