Frequently Asked Questions

• Children birth to 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities
• Individuals diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability or Autism
• Individuals with Mental Health conditions such as Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia (among others)

Administration

Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration (FCBHA) assures that individuals and families are provided opportunities to utilize Behavioral Health services to meet their needs. It is the responsibility of FCBHA to bring options through a vast network of local providers. An intake assessment will be conducted for referral to appropriate provider agencies for Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Services.

Service Coordination

Once children are deemed eligible for Early Intervention services, an Individualized Family Service Plan is developed to assist the child’s ability to see, move, hear, talk, eat, dress, think, learn, understand, relate to others and express their own needs. The child’s Service Coordinator will ensure the family is informed about age appropriate childhood development, family supports, developmental/instructional therapy options to aid in their child’s development.

Supports Coordination

Individuals diagnosed with an IQ below 70 or diagnosed as Autistic with adaptive skill deficits prior to age 22 and are Medical Assistance eligible qualify for Supports Coordination services. These services include:

• Day Programs
• In-home Supports
• Independent Living
• Residential Programs
• Transition Planning (ages 14 to 21)
• Vocational Training / Employment

Behavioral Health Services

• Assertive Community Treatment Team
• Case Management
• Inpatient
• Outpatient
• Partial Hospitalization
• Peer Specialist
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation
• Residential Rehabilitation

Substance Abuse

• Detoxification Services
• Halfway House

Insured

If you have commercial insurance, call the toll-free number on your insurance card to verify your coverage and locate a provider.

Not Insured

If you do not have insurance, call Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration at 724-430-1370.

HealthChoices

If you have HealthChoices, call 877-688-5972. HealthChoices is for those who are Medical Assistance eligible with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for You, Gateway Health, United Healthcare, or Aetna as their insurance carrier.

HealthChoices is the behavioral health portion of the managed care program for Medical Assistance recipients. Fayette County is the first to be certified by the Department of Human Services as a Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization. This requires Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration to ensure Medical Assistance recipients receive quality medical care and timely access to appropriate mental health and/or drug and alcohol services.

Early Intervention is designed to help lessen challenges for children and aid in their growth, development, and learning. It is available to all children birth to age 3 at no cost to the family.

Fayette County Early Intervention offers:

• Hearing/Vision Support
• Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Speech Instruction
• Speech Therapy

Read more about Fayette County Early Intervention.

Transition Planning creates a bridge between school and adult life for students with disabilities age 14 to 21 years old. It helps students become part of the adult community, get ready for work, higher education, and other aspects of adult life. Initiated by the youth’s school district, Transition Plans include the student, parents, educators, and other professionals working to ensure the student develops skills needed to be successful upon graduation. See more information about Intellectual Disabilities and resources.

Lifesharing, also known as Family Living, allows individuals with a Developmental Disability the opportunity to live with and share life experiences with supportive families in a caring household. If you know someone looking for Lifesharing placement, contact their Supports Coordinator. If they do not have a Supports Coordinator, call 724-430-1370 and ask for more information on this program. You may also read more in the Lifesharing Brochure (PDF).

Lifesharing providers need to have the time, space, and ability to support the participant’s needs. They must also pass a criminal background check and child abuse clearances. Lifesharing providers must complete annual trainings on First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Individual Support Plans, Family interactions, and building relationships.

They must provide a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment, a traditional family/community living arrangement, and follow all regulations of their provider agency, the Fayette County Behavioral Health Administration, Pennsylvania DPW, and the Office of Developmental Programs. If you are interested in becoming a Lifesharing Provider, call 724-430-1370.

You can also read more information in the Lifesharing Brochure (PDF).