Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) are supplemental specialty mental health services covered under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. TBS is an intensive, individualized, one-to-one behavioral mental health service available to children and youth under the age of 21 and their families with serious emotional challenges and have full scope Medi-Cal. TBS is never a primary therapeutic intervention and is always used in conjunction with a primary specialty mental health service. TBS is designed to support clients to be successful in their current environment or to transition to a lower level of care.

Referral Process

Primary Specialty Mental Health Providers (SMHP) can make referrals to TBS on behalf of their clients by discussing the service with their clients and guardians. TBS needs to be added as an intervention to the client plan and then the referral packet gets submitted to the ACBHD Administrator for review and authorization. Upon ACBHD approval, one of our contracted TBS Providers will begin their functional behavioral assessment followed by providing direct services.

Contact Us

For more information about these programs and services, please contact our Alameda County ACCESS line at  (800) 491-9099 or email InfoACBH.CYASOC@acgov.org.