OMSHAS-Bureau of Childrens Behavioral Health Services | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:36
OMSHAS-Bureau of Childrens Behavioral Health Services | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health Services
The Children's Bureau was re-established in 2003, following a reorganization of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in 1997. The bureau was reinstated to provide the vision and leadership for bringing together state and local resources to support children with serious emotional and behavioral challenges and their families.
The need for a specific focus on the needs of children with emotional problems is compelling.
The National Institue of Health
notes, "Mental health problems can disrupt daily life at home, at school or in the community. Without help, mental health problems can lead to school failure, alcohol or other drug abuse, family discord, violence or even suicide. However, help is available."
The Children's Bureau is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for serving children and adolescents with behavioral health needs in the Commonwealth. Functions include program development, policy development, service monitoring, and working with the Children's Committee, family and youth advocates, as well as state and local child-serving systems. Supporting priorities:
Establish child and family teams and implementation of
high-fidelity wraparound
through the work of the Youth and Family Training Institute
Create home and community-based alternatives to residential treatment
Partner with the Department of Education to support the development of effective school-based supports and interventions, including the
Student Assistance Program
and
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Develop a process for identifying and implementing evidence-based practices,
promising practices
, and culturally relevant practices
Develop strategies to address the needs of transition age youth
Create behavioral health competency to honor the strengths and address the unique individualized needs of infants and toddlers as well as children and adolescents who are/have:
In the
child welfare system
In, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system
In the drug and alcohol system
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Deaf or hard-of-hearing
Traumatic brain injury
Autism Spectrum Disorder
or other Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Physical disabilities
At risk for suicide
Divisions
Responsible for working with the OMHSAS field offices, county mental health and intellectual disability program offices, Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations and provider agencies in the development and management of children's behavioral health services.
Responsible for working with state agencies, family, and youth advocacy organizations in the development of policy, integrated planning, and review of service descriptions for new programs.
Contact
the Bureau
Director
Scott Talley
P. O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
Featured Programs & Resources
Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP)
CASSP Alert
Guidelines for Best Practices in Child and Adolesent Mental Health Services
Responding to Childhood Trauma: The Promise and Practice of Trauma Informed Care
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health Services
The Children's Bureau was re-established in 2003, following a reorganization of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in 1997. The bureau was reinstated to provide the vision and leadership for bringing together state and local resources to support children with serious emotional and behavioral challenges and their families.
The need for a specific focus on the needs of children with emotional problems is compelling.
The National Institue of Health
notes, "Mental health problems can disrupt daily life at home, at school or in the community. Without help, mental health problems can lead to school failure, alcohol or other drug abuse, family discord, violence or even suicide. However, help is available."
The Children's Bureau is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for serving children and adolescents with behavioral health needs in the Commonwealth. Functions include program development, policy development, service monitoring, and working with the Children's Committee, family and youth advocates, as well as state and local child-serving systems. Supporting priorities:
Establish child and family teams and implementation of
high-fidelity wraparound
through the work of the Youth and Family Training Institute
Create home and community-based alternatives to residential treatment
Partner with the Department of Education to support the development of effective school-based supports and interventions, including the
Student Assistance Program
and
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Develop a process for identifying and implementing evidence-based practices,
promising practices
, and culturally relevant practices
Develop strategies to address the needs of transition age youth
Create behavioral health competency to honor the strengths and address the unique individualized needs of infants and toddlers as well as children and adolescents who are/have:
In the
child welfare system
In, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system
In the drug and alcohol system
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Deaf or hard-of-hearing
Traumatic brain injury
Autism Spectrum Disorder
or other Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Physical disabilities
At risk for suicide
Divisions
Responsible for working with the OMHSAS field offices, county mental health and intellectual disability program offices, Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations and provider agencies in the development and management of children's behavioral health services.
Responsible for working with state agencies, family, and youth advocacy organizations in the development of policy, integrated planning, and review of service descriptions for new programs.
Contact
the Bureau
Director
Scott Talley
P. O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
Featured Programs & Resources
Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP)
CASSP Alert
Guidelines for Best Practices in Child and Adolesent Mental Health Services
Responding to Childhood Trauma: The Promise and Practice of Trauma Informed Care