October is recognized nationally as Emotional Wellness Month, which is an opportunity to highlight the many mental health services that DePelchin provides for children and their families. While DePelchin is often known best for connecting children with families through foster care and adoption, helping and preserving healthy families is also a critical component of our work.
Family and Youth Success, better known as FAYS, is one of our key programs for providing mental health services to children and families. FAYS provides free, short-term, family-focused counseling services to youth between the ages of 3-17 who reside in Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller Counties. Typically, a family receives services up to 6 months. Services are available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.
“FAYS is unique in that our services are free, regardless of income or insurance status,” said Amanda Muery, the Program Coordinator for FAYS. “We are able to provide a variety of therapeutic interventions and modalities including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to name a few. We offer services for a variety of presenting concerns including social skills, trauma, improving behavioral outbursts, grief and loss, changing family dynamics, depression, and anxiety.”
Families are often referred to FAYS by school counselors, physicians, or hospital social workers. Sometimes families arrive through word-of-mouth from other families who have had good FAYS experiences.
All FAYS clinicians have earned a Master’s degree in a field related to counseling. Each clinician receives individualized supervision to support their progress through the licensure process. During their time with FAYS, each clinician will work towards full licensure as a social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor.
“Though all three are different licenses, each is able to provide high quality counseling services to FAYS families,” Amanda said. “Ongoing training and professional development are core components of the program, so training opportunities are provided throughout the year to contribute to each clinician’s growth.”
Some families need continued services once they have completed FAYS. Clinicians can refer families who need more intensive or long-term therapy services to community partners who can best meet a family’s needs.
If a family is referred for FAYS or asks about services, DePelchin staff strives to connect with the family within 48 business hours to connect and assess that the program is the best fit for the family’s needs. Families are scheduled at each clinician’s earliest availability.
Any family interested in FAYS services should reach out via the FAYS mainline at (713) 664-3459.
