Family Service & Guidance Center is a community mental health center that specializes in meeting children's unique needs. Most of the children we help live in Shawnee County, but FSGC cares for children from over 40 Kansas counties annually with an array of specialized programs and services.
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Services Offered
Outpatient Therapy - Individual, family and group (ages 3-18) - Outpatient services focus on children, teens and families dealing with mental health or behavioral issues stemming from a broad range of causes, including relationships, crises or life changes.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (all ages) - Program provides state-of-the-art treatment for a full range of mental health issues seen in children from preschool to high school.
The Anxiety Treatment Program (ages 4-18) - This specialty clinic provides proven treatment to children whose lives are disrupted by severe anxiety, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and their families.
The Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) - Includes a therapeutic preschool for children with severe emotional and behavioral problems (birth to age 6). ECIP is a program for young children who are experiencing severe problems with their social, behavioral and emotional development.
Families Supporting Recovery - For children dually diagnosed with mental illness and substance use issues (ages 12-18). Instead of seeing two different teams - one for their mental health issue and another for substance use - this innovative service enables young people to see the same treatment team to treat both.
Community-Based Services (CBS) - Includes case management and attendant care (all ages). CBS provides intensive support for the child and family to help the child remain in their own home and avoid hospitalization. Services can be provided at home, at school and in the community.
Crisis Services - Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (all ages). FSGC's crisis services assist families with emergencies related to mental health issues. The crisis team can help with threats to harm one's self or others, dealing with extreme behavior and significant parent/child conflict.
Transition-Age Youth (TAY) Program - For young adults with mental illness (ages 15-22). This program provides mentally-ill young adults with opportunities to learn the skills and gather the information they need to live independently and self-sufficiently in the community.
Youth Development Program (YDP) - A group program that teaches crucial social and behavioral skills (ages 6-17). YDP works in a group format to help children and adolescents learn and practice social skills, anger management, problem solving, emotional expression and other skills needed to be successful at home, at school and in the community. YDP offers groups in a number of Topeka schools in addition to offering groups after school at Family Service & Guidance Center.
Happy Bear Abuse Prevention Outreach and Education Program (ages 3-6) - Happy Bear visits over 6,500 children each year in dozens of schools and child care centers to teach an important message of safety and self-protection.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - FSGC's psychiatrists and APRNs treat a broad range of mental illnesses and behavioral issues, including: * Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) * Depression * Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) * Autism Spectrum Disorders, including Asperger's Syndrome * Disruptive Behavior Disorder * Bipolar and other mood disorders * Psychotic illness
Specialized Therapeutic Groups - FSGC is pleased to be able to offer a range of support groups to help children and adolescents navigate the challenge of growing up happy and healthy as well as obstacles they might encounter along the way. Support groups are scheduled based on demand and new group sessions begin regularly.
Coping with Loss - This group is designed for adolescents ages 12-15 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Coping with Loss provides a safe, supportive environment in which children can grieve while spending time with other children who are also dealing with similar events.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a very effective treatment with adolescents who have a history of hospitalization, self-harm and suicide attempts. The group helps teens identify what events, situations and feelings trigger harmful behaviors. Then, with the help of the group leader and other group participants, individuals learn new, positive coping skills to manage those dangerous trigger situations and feelings. This group is tailored for individuals ages 13-19.
Fees and Payment
Family Service & Guidance Center accepts most insurance, including KanCare, coverage purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace and private insurance.
FSGC provides a sliding fee scale based on household income if you live in Shawnee County. If you wish to pay on a sliding scale, be sure to bring income verification.
This is a non profit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from Kansas' program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Kansas' program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.