What can I do to support myself?
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What can I do to support my child?
 
what are the challenges

what is it?   | what to expect?  |  what are the challenges?   |  questions to ask
how to pay for it.

Potential challenges

Choosing the best option
Only a very few children receive emergency and/or intensive services (roughly 5 percent of all children receiving mental health care). It's important to decide what would be most beneficial for your child. 

Your insurance company or the state agency working with you and your child can help you evaluate the options that are available.

Availability
Sometimes an intensive service is recommended but is not available, or is only available at a location that is not close to your home. This does not mean you should take your child home, and/or agree to a different type of service. The medical team must continue to stabilize your child, even if that means coming up with a temporary arrangement. You can advocate for the service that is in your child's best interests.


Expectations
Some parents expect a child to show significant improvement after having received intensive and/or emergency services. This expectation is generally unrealistic, and may place an additional burden on the child.