IBHS Services
Intensive Behavioral Health Services and wraparound support for children and teens across Southwestern Pennsylvania
Some children need more than weekly therapy can provide. When behavioral and emotional challenges are significantly affecting a child's daily functioning at home, at school, or in the community — and when outpatient therapy alone has not been sufficient — Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) bring professional support directly into the environments where the child lives and learns.
Help For Your Child provides multi-disciplinary, wraparound IBHS services across seven counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Our IBHS team works in close coordination with the HFYC clinical practice — including Dr. Carosso and Dr. Lowenstein — to ensure that intensive services are grounded in a thorough clinical understanding of each child's needs.
What Are IBHS Services?
Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) is a Pennsylvania-regulated category of behavioral health services designed to provide structured, intensive mental health intervention for children and teens whose needs exceed what traditional outpatient therapy can address. IBHS is delivered in the child's natural environment — at home, at school, or in the community — rather than in a clinic office.
IBHS services are individualized, goal-directed, and delivered by trained behavioral health professionals under clinical supervision. Services are typically authorized through the child's managed care insurance organization following an assessment that confirms medical necessity.
IBHS replaces the former "Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services" (BHRS/wraparound) framework in Pennsylvania and includes three primary service types:
Mobile Therapy (MT)
A mental health professional provides individual therapy in the child's home, school, or community setting. Mobile Therapy is appropriate for children who need therapeutic support in their natural environment rather than — or in addition to — clinic-based therapy.
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) / Licensed Behavioral Specialist (LBS)
A Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) or Licensed Behavioral Specialist (LBS) works with parents, caregivers, teachers, and other adults in the child's life to develop and implement individualized behavioral support plans. The BCBA or LBS is focused on building the capacity of the adults around the child to respond effectively to challenging behavior and support behavioral goals consistently across settings.
Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
A Behavioral Health Technician provides direct, one-on-one behavioral support to the child in the home, school, or community. BHTs implement the behavioral support plan developed by the clinical team, provide in-the-moment coaching and intervention, and collect data on behavioral progress. BHT support is often the most intensive and most visible component of a wraparound plan.
Who Is IBHS Appropriate For?
IBHS is designed for children and teens whose behavioral or emotional challenges are severe enough to require more intensive support than weekly outpatient therapy provides — but who do not require residential or inpatient treatment. IBHS is commonly used for children with:
- •Autism Spectrum Disorder — behavioral support, social skills, adaptive functioning
- •ADHD with significant behavioral impairment at home or school
- •Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder
- •Anxiety or mood disorders with significant functional impairment
- •Trauma and PTSD requiring intensive in-home support
- •Intellectual disabilities with co-occurring behavioral challenges
- •Children at risk of school failure, suspension, or placement change due to behavioral issues
- •Children transitioning from more intensive levels of care (partial hospitalization, residential)
IBHS services require a formal authorization from the child's managed care insurance organization based on demonstrated medical necessity. HFYC's clinical team assists families in navigating the authorization process.
The IBHS Process at HFYC
Initial Assessment (Written Order)
The IBHS process begins with a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the child's current behavioral and emotional functioning, identify treatment goals, and document the clinical need for intensive services. Dr. Carosso conducts or oversees this assessment, ensuring it reflects the full clinical picture. HFYC also accepts referrals from outside evaluators and existing diagnoses from qualified providers.
Medical Assistance Enrollment
For families whose child will receive IBHS services through Medical Assistance (Medicaid), parents are required to apply for an ACCESS card through Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance program if one is not already in place. HFYC's staff guides families through this process.
Treatment Plan Development
Once services are authorized, the clinical team develops an individualized treatment plan with specific behavioral goals, intervention strategies, and measurable outcomes. The plan is developed collaboratively with parents and — when appropriate — school staff and other providers in the child's life.
Service Delivery
IBHS services are delivered in the child's home, school, or community setting by trained Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) under clinical supervision. Services are scheduled according to the child's authorized hours and the family's needs. Progress is tracked continuously and reported to the clinical supervisor and the managed care organization.
Ongoing Review & Coordination
IBHS services are reviewed regularly against treatment goals. The clinical team meets with families to assess progress, adjust the treatment plan as needed, and coordinate with schools and other providers. HFYC's integration of IBHS services within a broader clinical practice means that changes in the child's psychological or psychiatric status can be addressed in coordination with Dr. Carosso or Dr. Lowenstein without requiring families to manage multiple unconnected providers.
Service Area & Insurance
Service Area
Help For Your Child provides IBHS wraparound services across seven counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania:
- •Allegheny County
- •Westmoreland County
- •Washington County
- •Fayette County
- •Greene County
- •Armstrong County
- •Indiana County
Insurance & Access
HFYC provides IBHS services to children on Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and most other major insurance carriers. We are committed to removing financial barriers to access — intensive behavioral health services should be available to every family that needs them, regardless of insurance type.
- •Medical Assistance (Medicaid) accepted
- •Most major managed care insurance carriers accepted
- •HFYC staff assists families with authorization and ACCESS card applications
- •Services available in seven counties across Southwestern Pennsylvania