Among the many important services provided by CK Family Services, our Behavioral Health department plays a key role in supporting children and families. This dedicated team of passionate and skilled individuals focuses on addressing mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs through specialized care.
As the first Child Placing Agency contracted to offer Behavioral Health services back in 2015, CKBH began with just two Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs) serving 19 counties. Initially focused exclusively on youth in foster care, we have since expanded to include youth and families outside of foster care as well. The department has flourished, growing to include additional staff and services and increasing our reach and impact. Today, we have 76 mental health practitioners and care coordinators, along with support and supervisory staff, and 2 interns. Our scope has also broadened to cover the entire state of Texas through telehealth services.
Take a peek behind the scenes to see the great work being done—from therapy and skills training to innovative programs designed to stabilize families before they enter the system—demonstrating the positive impact and outcomes being achieved.
Farrah Bakhshi, Director of CK Behavioral Health, shares, “We’ve seen incredible success stories through our CKBH programs. One child, Brandon*, who struggled with emotional challenges both at school and at home, has seen significant improvement! Through regular therapy and skills training, Brandon has developed better coping mechanisms, improved his behavior, and enhanced his communication skills. His family, with the help of case management, has also accessed services that have strengthened their household.”
At CKBH, each service is designed to provide comprehensive care for children and their families, tailored to meet individual needs, ensuring that every child receives the tools and support necessary to thrive.
Therapy
Provided by our Qualified Mental Health Professionals, our therapeutic services focus on addressing the unique emotional and mental health needs of each child. Through individualized sessions, children learn to develop coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and manage life’s challenges. These skills help them navigate difficult situations more effectively, both at home and in school.
Skills Training
Beyond therapy, we also provide Skills Training that helps our clients build essential life and social skills. This program equips children with the practical tools they need to navigate everyday situations with greater confidence and independence, empowering them to become more self-sufficient and fostering their emotional and social development. One of our mental health providers shared a story about a child named Eli* who had been struggling with impulsivity and outbursts at school. Through their work together, Eli learned breathing techniques to help calm himself down in stressful situations. A school staff member later reported that Eli was overheard teaching these same calming techniques to another child on the playground—evidence of how these skills not only benefit the child but can also have a positive ripple effect on their peers.
Case Management
Our dedicated case managers work closely with families to ensure they have access to the necessary resources and support for success. This includes coordinating services, guiding families through complex systems, and connecting them with additional resources tailored to their unique needs.
Impact Beyond BH
As a result of our BH program, CK was able to pioneer the evolution of family-based Treatment Foster Care (TFC) services. TFC builds on the rest of our BH program services and our Foster Care program services to meet the needs of youth in foster care who otherwise would only have Residential Treatment Centers or General Residential Operation facilities as placement options.
Expanding Our Reach: Texas Families First and the H.O.P.E. Team
In addition to our core services, CKBH is involved in broader efforts to stabilize and support families before they reach a crisis point. One such effort is our collaboration with Texas Families First (TFF), a pilot program in Tarrant, Summerville, Johnson, and Palo Pinto counties. This proactive initiative offers up-stream services to increase protective factors and mitigate risk factors for those families through BH, supporting families before their children enter the foster care system, ensuring they receive the help they need to keep their families intact.
We’re also proud to be part of the H.O.P.E. Team initiative in partnership with DFPS, which provides essential mental health services for youth in the Empower catchment area. This program represents a new approach, ensuring that treatment is not dependent on a child’s placement. Even youth who are between placements or at risk of being without a placement receive continuity of care. Through a dedicated team of Qualified Mental Health Professionals, the H.O.P.E. Team ensures that these children receive the critical intervention they need to heal and thrive.
At CKBH, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower children and families through healing, support, and stability. Whether through our core services or our participation in innovative pilot programs, we are committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve. Stay tuned as we continue to grow and evolve, always with the goal of transforming lives and creating brighter futures.
*True stories based on real kids, with names and details modified to ensure privacy and protection of the clients we serve.
Click here to learn more about CKBH: CK Behavioral Health