MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - YVFWC
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Behavioral Health Services
918 East Mead Ave.              PHONE:  509-453-1344
Yakima, WA  98903

YVFWC website

Yakima Valley Farm Workers Behavioral Health Services
602 A  West 1st Avenue/98948                 PHONE:  509-865-2227
Post Office Box 190
Toppenish, WA   98948

     SERVICES PROVIDED:  Efforts are to provide quality mental health
     services to children and their families and to Hispanic adults in Yakima
     County, through the following services and programs:

     CHAP - (Children's Hospitalization Alternative Program) is a
     specialized therapeutic foster care program that accepts to 18  years off
     age for up to an 18-month placement in qualified, licensed foster homes in
     Yakima County.  Staff members function as case managers and as mental
     health therapists for those children who have mental health needs that
     cannot be managed in regular foster homes or relative placements.
     Twenty-four-hour intensive supportive services are provided to the youth
     and foster families.  Treatment is designed to address both behavioral and
     emotional disorders, and is provided through individual family and group
     therapy.  Psychiatric consultation is provided on a regular basis and direct
     psychiatric services, including evaluation and medication management, are
     available as needed.  All services are provided under the full-time
     supervision of a children's mental health specialist, and there is on-going
     coordination among the multiple agencies involved in services.

     Children's Services are designed to provide on-going case management
     and therapy service to children and adolescents throughout Yakima
     County.  Youth served through this program are experiencing long-lasting
     difficulties at school and/or home; and regular intervention by school
     counselors, family doctors, or others have not resulted in needed change. 
     Many of the services are provided outside the office setting to maximize the
     benefits of intervention.  Young people themselves, or other people
     concerned about their welfare, may refer individuals to this program. 
     Family physicians, or another designated health care provider, will be
     involved in authorizing the need for services.  Children and adolescents
     referred for services should be screened by a medical doctor, although this
     screening can be done after the mental health referral is made.  The
     program includes the following services:
          - Support and advocacy services
          - Individual assessment and evaluation
          - Case management and outreach
          - Individual and group therapy
          - Psychiatric evaluations and services, as needed.
     All services are provided under the full-time supervision of a children's
     mental health specialist.

     A special intensive community support project is a part of this program,
     which focuses on minority children who have failed to succeed with other
     services.

     Children's Crisis Response System is a program administered by YVFW
     Medical Mental Health Services, in coordination with the Greater Columbia
     Regional Support Network, Yakima County, Catholic Family and Child
     Services, and Central WA Comprehensive Mental Health.  Children and
     adolescents experiencing a crisis are referred, or refer themselves, through
     a toll-free number (1-800-671-KIDS) that services all of Yakima County. 
     Called Kids In Distress Services (KIDS), the program provides 24-hour
     availability of a children's mental health specialist who performs
     face-to-face assessments and determines the need for further services. 
     Crisis stabilization workers may be scheduled to maintain a safe
     environment for the youth, and crisis respite homes are available should a
     safer environment be needed.  Crisis stabilization services are available for
     up to two weeks, as needed.  Appointments at the three licensed mental
     health agencies in Yakima County are made available within one week of
     assessment for those youth needing on-going mental health services.

     El Centro de Amistad Program provides mental health services to
     Hispanic adults and families.  Therapists and counselors are fluent in 
     Spanish and English, and sensitive to the cultural needs of the Hispanic
     population.  Psychiatrists provide medication management, and treatment
     within a supportive environment.  Group and individual services are
     available as needed.  Some of the needs addressed by this program
     include emotional problems, anger management, counseling, marital and
     family therapy, referrals to medical health and community supports, and
     employment support.

     Psychiatric Services accepts physician and program referrals on a
     space-available basis.  Individuals may be seen in either Toppenish or
     Yakima.  Services include the following:
          - Individual psychotherapy
          - Psychiatric evaluations
          - Medication management
          - Specialized groups
          - Contracted consultations 
          - Consultation for primary care physicians.

     ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:  Clients must have a mental health
     diagnosis. 

     AREA SERVED:  Yakima County

     FEES:  All services are on a zero-based sliding-fee scale, except for adult
     psychiatric services which has a sliding-fee scale with a minimum payment
     of 25% or $25, whichever is less.

     HOURS:  8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.  Monday through Friday.  Children's
     emergencies are handled after hours by calling 453-1344 for children
     currently in agency  programs, or 1-800-671-KIDS for all other
     children/adolescents in crisis.

     REFERRAL PROCEDURE:  For further information or appointment, 
     contact Yakima Valley Farm Workers Medical Mental Health Services, in
     Yakima at 410 Washington Mutual Building or call 453-1344; or  in
     Toppenish at 602 A  West First Avenue or call 865-2227.

     WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE:  Yes

     BILINGUAL CAPABILITIES:  English, Spanish, and *TDD for the
     hearing-impaired.

     *TDD = Telecommunications Device for the Deaf