Providing Wraparound Support to Youth and Families through Pathways to Success
In February 2023, Children’s Home took on a leadership role and welcomed a new clinical program to our list of services: Pathways to Success, a family-focused, strengths-based care coordination and wraparound service for youth with complex behavioral health needs.
What is Pathways to Success?
Pathways to Success (Pathways) is a program for Medicaid-enrolled children under the age of 21 in Illinois who have complex behavioral health needs and could benefit from additional support and specialized services. Children’s Home is the Care Coordination Service Organization (CCSO) for Central Illinois supporting seven counties, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Marshall, Stark, and Putnam.
The program’s mission is simple: to give all Medicaid-enrolled children in Illinois access to mental health services to support and help them succeed at home, in school, and in their communities.
How the Program Works
The services available under Pathways are intended to support the child’s existing or recommended behavioral health treatment plan and build upon the unique needs and strengths of the child and their family. Pathways services are provided by qualified service providers who engage the child and family in a unique assessment and treatment planning process centered around the formation of a Child and Family Team (CFT).
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services uses a Behavioral Health Decision Support Model to help identify youth who may benefit from Pathways, which can include high-fidelity wraparound services, intensive care coordination, respite, family peer support, home-based services, individual wellness and therapeutic support, community activities, and more.
What are the Goals?
Pathways is family-driven and youth-guided, so all the program goals are centered around unconditional care and support:
- Improved family functioning and reduced caregiver stress
- More stable living situations for children and youth, including fewer out-of-home treatment episodes
- Increased family and youth involvement in services
- Increased use of evidence-based practices, including expanded access to services provided in home and community settings
- Improved school attendance and performance
- Reduced contacts with law enforcement and child welfare
How to Get Enrolled
Eligibility for Pathways to Success is determined by Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. To learn more about this process and the program, download our informational flyer, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, or email [email protected].
