Referrals

Ask for the intake coordinator.  He or she will take the referral information and set the child up for an assessment with an appropriate clinician, generally within 2 to 3 weeks.  TYSB will triage cases that are high risk. We have office sites in Tulare , Lindsay and Earlimart serving South Tulare County . For specialized Sexual Abuse Treatment we provide services in these sites as well as Dinuba, Visalia , Exeter , Woodlake and Porterville . 

Generally, children involved in the Child Welfare System are referred by the assigned social worker.  If, as a foster or kinship caregiver, you would like to make a referral, first notify the appropriate social worker.  Children in foster care will need to have certain paperwork generated and received by TYSB prior to being set up for an appointment.  Have as much information available to the intake coordinator, for example, date of birth and social security number.  Also, as a foster care or family care provider, the child will benefit from your active participation in the treatment process.  Often you will be needed in sessions to provide valuable information, build skills for the child, and encourage family healing.   

Additionally, if a referring CWS worker understands the child will benefit from sessions involving the birth parents (in such cases where reunification or other contact will take place), or if the case plan indicates, please have the information ready on contacting these parents to facilitate their participation in the assessment and treatment process. 

Children involved in the Juvenile Justice System also may or may not be able to receive services at TYSB.  While we may get referrals for children that are "court ordered" to participate in treatment at this agency, they will still need to meet the criteria set forth by our Health and Human Services Agency, Managed Care Division in order to be seen for ongoing services.

Intake Department: Fax: 559.624.1991 Email: intake@tysb.org



How do I know when a child needs help?
For children, there are signs that may show a need for specialty mental health services. If one or more of the problems below is present in a house where a child resides, specialty mental health services may be needed. Please contact Tulare Youth Service Bureau to request additional information or make an appointment for an assessment.
  • Parents who feel overwhelmed or who have mental health issues
  • Violence or disruption in the house or other exposure to trauma such as physical or sexual abuse
  • A major source of family stress, such as divorce or death of family member
  • Abuse of drugs or alcohol by a family member or someone in the home
  • Unusual or difficult behavior by the child
  • Foster care placement or disruption in living arrangements
  • For school age children, the following checklist includes some signs that should help you decide if your child would benefit from mental health services:
    • Displays unusual changes in emotions and behavior
    • Difficulty getting along with other children or has no friends
    • Is doing poorly in school, misses school frequently or does not want to attend school
    • Has frequent minor illnesses or complaints of illnesses
    • Seems fearful or becomes suddenly withdrawn or angry
    • Is aggressive
    • Fearful of being away from primary caregiver
    • Has frequent bad dreams
    • Has difficult falling or staying asleep, wakes during the night
    • Suddenly refuses to be alone with a certain family member or close friend or acts upset around specific family members
    • Displays affection inappropriately or makes abnormal sexual gestures or remarks
    • Refuses to eat
    • Is frequently tearful
    You may contact Tulare Youth Service Bureau for an assessment or referral for your child if you feel he or she is showing any of the signs noted above. If your child qualifies for Tulare County Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or fits into one of our Specialty Grant funded programs, we will arrange for your child to receive an assessment for services
    How do I know when an adolescent or young person needs help?
    Between the ages of 12 and 18, teens face numerous stressors and pressures. Some unusual behavior by an adolescent or young adult person may be related to the physical and psychological changes taking place as they become an adult. This population is establishing a sense of identity and shifting from relying on adults to facing independence. A parent or concerned friend may have difficulty deciding between what is "normal behavior" and what may be signs of emotional or mental health problems requiring professional help.
    Some mental illnesses can begin in the years between 12 and 21. The checklist below may help you decide if an adolescent you know requires help.
    • Pulls back from usual family, friend, and/or normal activities
    • Experiences an unexplained decline in school performance
    • Neglects personal appearance and hygiene
    • Significant weight gain or loss
    • Running away from home
    • Overly rebellious or aggressive behaviors
    • Physical illness complaints or symptoms with no apparent illness
    • Suspected use of drugs or alcohol
    You may contact Tulare Youth Service Bureau for an assessment or referral for your teen if you feel he or she is showing any of the signs noted above. If your child qualifies for Tulare County Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or fits into one of our Specialty Grant funded programs, we will arrange for your child to receive an assessment for services.