How to Start Behavioral Health Services for Your Child

Recognizing that your child may need behavioral or mental health support can feel overwhelming. You may have noticed changes in your child’s behavior, emotions, school performance, relationships, or ability to complete daily activities, but you may not know what to do next.

Starting services does not have to be confusing. At Platform Behavioral Support Services, LLC (PBSS), Houston-area families can begin by submitting a referral, verifying Medicaid coverage, and completing an initial behavioral health assessment.

Here is what parents and legal guardians should know about getting started.

Step 1: Identify and Document Your Concerns

Children do not always have the words to explain emotional or behavioral difficulties. Parents may first notice changes at home, while teachers or school counselors may identify concerns at school.

Common concerns may include:

• Frequent anger or emotional outbursts

• Anxiety, excessive worry, or panic

• Persistent sadness or withdrawal

• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

• Hyperactivity or impulsive behavior

• Defiance or refusal to follow instructions

• Sudden changes in grades or attendance

• Fighting, bullying, or aggressive behavior

• Difficulty making or maintaining friendships

• Changes in sleeping or eating habits

• Poor self-esteem

• Difficulty managing daily responsibilities

Write down when the concerns began, how often they occur, and how they affect your child at home, at school, or in the community. Include any observations from teachers, counselors, caregivers, or healthcare professionals.

This information can help the behavioral health professional understand your child’s needs during the assessment.

Step 2: Talk With Your Child and Their School

Choose a calm time to ask your child how they have been feeling. Use open-ended questions such as:

• Has anything been worrying you lately?

• Is anything difficult at school?

• How are things going with your friends?

• What happens when you become angry or upset?

• Is there anything you want help with?

Listen without judgment and reassure your child that asking for help does not mean they have done something wrong.

You may also contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, or school social worker. Ask whether they have noticed changes in attendance, grades, concentration, classroom behavior, or peer relationships.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that parents speak with teachers and healthcare professionals when they have concerns about how a child behaves at home, at school, or with friends.

Step 3: Review the Preliminary Eligibility Requirements

Before submitting a referral to PBSS, review the agency’s basic eligibility requirements.

The child must generally:

• Be currently enrolled in Texas Medicaid

• Be at least 3 years old

• Reside within the agency’s service area

• Experience behavioral, emotional, or mental health concerns that affect functioning at home, school, or in the community

• Be willing to participate in an initial behavioral health assessment

• Meet clinical and medical necessity criteria based on the assessment

Meeting the preliminary requirements does not automatically guarantee enrollment. Final eligibility is determined after Medicaid coverage is verified and the required clinical assessment is completed.

Step 4: Submit a Referral

A parent or legal guardian may submit a referral directly to PBSS. Referrals may also come from:

• Schools or counselors

• Healthcare providers

• Hospitals or emergency departments

• Community organizations

• Foster parents or caregivers

• The individual seeking services

The referral will request basic information, including:

• The child’s name and date of birth

• Home address

• Parent or legal guardian information

• Phone number and email address

• Texas Medicaid plan

• Referral source

• General behavioral health concerns

Provide complete and accurate information so the intake team can review the referral and contact you promptly.

To begin, call PBSS at 713-360-7375, email info@platformbehavioral.com, or submit an intake request online.

Step 5: Verify Texas Medicaid Coverage

PBSS will verify that the child has active Texas Medicaid coverage and determine whether the plan is accepted.

Medicaid plans identified in PBSS referral materials include:

• Superior HealthPlan

• Texas Children’s Health Plan

• Community Health Choice

• Molina Healthcare

• UnitedHealthcare

If you are unsure which plan your child has, check the Medicaid insurance card or contact the PBSS intake team for assistance.

Coverage and authorization requirements may differ between plans. Verification must be completed before services begin.

Step 6: Complete the Initial Behavioral Health Assessment

After the referral and coverage information are reviewed, an initial behavioral health assessment may be scheduled.

During the assessment, a qualified professional may ask about:

• The child’s current behavioral and emotional concerns

• Medical and behavioral health history

• Family and social relationships

• School attendance and academic performance

• Developmental history

• Medications

• Previous treatment or hospitalizations

• Strengths, interests, and support systems

• Safety concerns

• The effect of symptoms on daily functioning

Parents should provide honest and detailed information. The purpose of the assessment is not to criticize the child or family. It is to understand what the child is experiencing and determine which services may be clinically appropriate.

Bring any helpful records, such as medication lists, previous evaluations, school reports, discharge paperwork, or information from another provider.

Step 7: Develop an Individualized Treatment Plan

If the child is eligible for services, PBSS will use the assessment results to develop an individualized treatment plan.

The plan may identify:

• The child’s strengths

• Areas requiring support

• Behavioral health goals

• Recommended services

• Frequency of services

• Strategies for improving functioning

• Ways the family can participate

• Methods for monitoring progress

Treatment planning should reflect the child’s needs, abilities, preferences, family situation, and environment. The plan may be reviewed and updated as the child progresses or as new needs are identified.

Step 8: Begin the Recommended Services

Depending on the assessment, medical necessity, Medicaid authorization, and individual treatment plan, recommended services may include:

Skills Training and Development

Skills training helps children develop practical abilities needed to function more effectively at home, at school, and in the community. Areas may include communication, anger management, emotional regulation, stress reduction, social interaction, problem-solving, and appropriate behavior.

Case Management

Case management can help families coordinate behavioral health care and connect with appropriate school, healthcare, and community resources.

Outpatient Therapy and Family Counseling

Therapy may help children and families understand emotional or behavioral concerns, strengthen relationships, establish goals, and develop healthier coping strategies.

Medication Management

When clinically appropriate, medication-management services may include evaluation, prescribing, monitoring, and education regarding medications and possible side effects.

Treatment Planning and Ongoing Assessments

The child’s progress and changing needs may be reviewed through treatment-plan updates, reassessments, and communication with the family.

Not every child will need every service. Recommendations are based on the individual assessment and medical necessity.

How Parents Can Support the Process

Parents and legal guardians play an important role in behavioral health treatment. You can support your child by:

• Attending scheduled appointments

• Providing accurate information

• Encouraging your child to participate

• Practicing recommended skills at home

• Communicating changes in behavior or medication

• Working with teachers and school counselors

• Asking questions when something is unclear

• Informing the provider about new safety concerns

• Celebrating gradual progress

Behavioral health improvement may take time. Consistency between the child, family, school, and treatment team can help support long-term progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need an existing diagnosis?

Not necessarily. The initial assessment helps identify the child’s concerns and determine whether they meet clinical and medical necessity requirements. Contact the PBSS intake team if you are unsure whether your child may qualify.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

Parents and legal guardians may submit a referral directly. However, Medicaid plans may have different authorization requirements, which PBSS will review during coverage verification.

How quickly will services begin?

The timeframe depends on referral review, Medicaid verification, appointment availability, completion of the assessment, and any required authorization. PBSS cannot guarantee immediate enrollment.

Can services take place at home or in the community?

PBSS provides community-based behavioral health support. The location and delivery method will depend on the service, treatment plan, clinical need, and Medicaid requirements.

What if I do not know my child’s Medicaid plan?

Check the child’s Medicaid card or contact the PBSS intake team. Providing the child’s correct insurance information will help the team verify coverage.

Take the First Step

Seeking behavioral health services is not a sign of failure. It is a proactive step toward helping your child build the skills and support needed to function more successfully at home, at school, and in the community.

If you are concerned about your child’s emotions, behavior, relationships, or daily functioning, PBSS can help you understand the referral, eligibility, and assessment process.

Call Platform Behavioral Support Services at 713-360-7375, email info@platformbehavioral.com, or submit a referral to begin the process.

Submission of a referral does not guarantee eligibility or enrollment. Eligibility is determined after Medicaid coverage verification and completion of the required clinical assessment.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or emergency care. If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential crisis support, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.