HAND IN HAND

The Hand in Hand program offers family-centered, community-based, and culturally competent mental health services for children ages birth to 6 years. Families who have children with emotional and behavioral issues will receive:

  • Guidance through medical systems, social services and school systems 
  • Mentoring 
  • Assistance with referrals to community programs and services 
  • Support from families who have had similar experiences 
  • Networking activities, including family support groups

Hand in Hand is an $8.3 million, federally funded, six-year cooperative agreement with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program is designed to support the growth of a system that will provide seamless care for the behavioral and emotional needs of children from birth through 6 years of age. It is administered by MHMR of Tarrant County in partnership with Mental Health Connection. Hand in Hand received its initial funding in September 2008 and will continue through September 2014. Hand in Hand must match the federal funds with in-kind contributions from the community.

This program supports the growth and enhancement of Mental Health Connection as a System of Care throughout Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker and Tarrant Counties (outside of Fort Worth.) Wraparound provides families with community-based support options to help them manage their children’s emotional and behavioral issues while working with multiple agencies.

Service Criteria:

  • Children must be between the ages of 0-6 years old
  • Children must reside in Palo Pinto County and be classified have an imminent risk of a mental health diagnosis.
  • These children are eligible for wraparound services provided by Hand in Hand. Children up to age 5 will be screened with the ASQ-SE, a tool also used by Early Childhood Intervention (ECI).

Contact Information:

To arrange for an assessment, call 817-569-5720 or email Stephanie Norton.

Referrals:

Anyone can refer a child to Hand in Hand in one of three ways: