If you’re a parent or caregiver looking for behavioral health support for your child, the system can feel confusing at first. Community behavioral health in South Philadelphia, like everywhere else in the city, runs through Community Behavioral Health (CBH), the organization that manages behavioral health coverage for Philadelphia residents enrolled in Medical Assistance. Once you know how the pieces fit together, getting from your first phone call to your child’s first appointment becomes much more manageable.
What Is CBH and Who Does It Serve?
CBH is Philadelphia County’s managed care organization for behavioral health. If your child is enrolled in Medical Assistance and lives in Philadelphia, including South Philly neighborhoods like Point Breeze, Passyunk Square, Pennsport, Queen Village, and Packer Park, they are most likely a CBH member.
CBH covers inpatient, residential, and outpatient behavioral health care for both mental health and substance use. It doesn’t deliver services directly. Instead, it works with a network of provider agencies and helps members find care based on their needs and their choices. You can learn more about member benefits on CBH’s member welcome page.
What Behavioral Health Services Can Children Receive Through CBH?
Children and teens enrolled in Medical Assistance can access a wide range of support, depending on what they need. Common services include:
- Mental health outpatient therapy for concerns like anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, or difficulty coping
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS), Pennsylvania’s program for youth under 21, delivered at home, at school, or in the community
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, which is one type of IBHS
- Family and group therapy
The right service depends on your child’s needs. A provider’s assessment helps your family and the care team decide which level of support makes the most sense.
How Do You Access CBH Services in South Philadelphia?
Every family’s path looks a little different, but most follow the same basic steps.
Step 1: Confirm Your Child’s Medical Assistance Coverage
Make sure your child’s Medical Assistance is active. If you aren’t sure, your county assistance office can confirm eligibility. Keep your child’s Medical Assistance card and member ID number handy for every call.
Step 2: Call CBH Member Services or Reach Out to a Provider
CBH Member Services (888-545-2600) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff can explain covered services, help you find network providers that serve South Philadelphia, and arrange a free interpreter if your family speaks a language other than English. Many families also contact a provider directly, and the provider’s intake team can walk them through next steps.
Step 3: Get a Written Order if Your Child Needs One
Some children’s services, including ABA and other IBHS, require a written order based on a face-to-face visit. For ABA, the order must come from a physician, licensed psychologist, certified registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Your child’s pediatrician is often the easiest place to start.
Step 4: Complete Intake and Assessment
The provider gathers information about your child’s history, strengths, challenges, and your family’s goals, then completes an assessment. For ABA, this typically includes a functional behavior assessment, a skills assessment, direct observation, and interviews with parents and teachers.
Step 5: Treatment Plan and Authorization
The provider builds an individualized treatment plan and submits it, along with the order and assessment, to CBH for review and approval. For ABA, Pennsylvania requires the treatment plan to be completed within 45 days of starting services.
Step 6: Your Child’s First Appointment
Once services are approved and your child is matched with a care team, sessions begin. Treatment plans are reviewed at least every six months, and sooner if your child’s needs change.
What If Your Family Needs Help Right Away?
If your child is in crisis, don’t wait for an intake appointment. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call the Philadelphia Crisis Line at 215-685-6440. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Tips for Navigating Community Behavioral Health in South Philadelphia
- Keep a folder with your child’s Medical Assistance card, diagnosis paperwork, school reports, and provider contacts
- Write down your questions before you call CBH or a provider so nothing slips through the cracks
- Ask whether services can happen at home or at school, which can cut down on travel and missed class time
- Ask how parents are involved, since caregiver participation plays a big role in progress
- Request an interpreter whenever you need one; it’s free
How Thrive Therapy Supports South Philadelphia Families
At Thrive Therapy, we work with families throughout Philadelphia to make behavioral health care feel less overwhelming. Our team provides ABA therapy services in the home, school, and community, along with mental health outpatient services that include individual, family, and group therapy with in-person and telehealth options. Our ABA programs include weekly one-on-one parent training and monthly parent check-ins, so you always know how your child is doing and how to support progress at home.
If you’re exploring community behavioral health support in South Philadelphia, complete our intake form or call us at (267) 225-7180. We’ll answer your questions about services and coverage and help your family take a confident next step.
Key Takeaways
- CBH manages behavioral health coverage for Philadelphia County residents enrolled in Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
- CBH doesn’t provide therapy itself; it arranges and pays for care through a network of provider agencies
- CBH Member Services is available 24 hours a day at 888-545-2600 to answer questions and help you find providers
- Children’s services can include outpatient therapy, ABA therapy, and other intensive behavioral health services
- Providers that offer care at home, in school, and in the community make services easier to fit into family life
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to get CBH services?
It depends on the service. Outpatient mental health care often starts with a call to a provider, while ABA and other IBHS services require a written order. CBH Member Services can tell you exactly what your child needs to get started.
Do CBH services cost anything?
CBH covers behavioral health services for Philadelphia Medical Assistance members, so families generally don’t pay for covered care. Confirm your child’s specific coverage with CBH Member Services or your provider.
Can my child receive services at home or school?
Yes. Many children’s services funded through CBH, including IBHS and ABA, can be delivered at home, in school, or in the community.
Can we switch providers if it isn’t a good fit?
Yes. CBH members have a choice in their providers, and Member Services can help you explore other options in the network.