B-NET (Behavioral Health Network): Comprehensive Children's Mental Health Services
Behavioral Health Network (B-NET) offers evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment for children covered by the Children’s Medical Services Health Plan and subsidized Florida Healthy Kids. The program addresses a broad spectrum of behavioral health needs through family-centered, coordinated care.
B-NET's primary goal is to help children ages 5-19 years old to increase their overall well-being and level of functioning, ensuring that their emotional, social, and academic needs can be successfully met within their community and family environment.
Developed through a partnership with the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Children and Families, B-NET ensures that children with complex medical and behavioral needs receive integrated, holistic support.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Pamela Gray, LCSW, our B-NET Program Manager with 18 years of experience in children's behavioral health and complex medical conditions, leads our multidisciplinary team of therapists, psychiatrists, and case managers who understand the unique intersection of medical and mental health needs in pediatric populations.
Eligibility Requirements and Insurance Coverage
Title XXI Insurance Requirements
All children served by B-NET must be insured through one of Title XXI programs (either CMS or Florida Healthy Kids), which include specialized insurance coverage for children with special healthcare needs:
1.Children's Medical Services (CMS)
CMS coverage provides comprehensive healthcare for children with special healthcare needs, including:
- Complex medical conditions requiring ongoing specialty care
- Developmental disabilities and genetic disorders
- Chronic mental health conditions
- Co-occurring medical and behavioral health conditions
- Children requiring intensive care coordination and case management
2.Florida Healthy Kids Care
Subsidized Florida Healthy Kids members who qualify for B-NET services include:
- Children from families with income levels that qualify for subsidized healthcare
- Children with behavioral health needs identified through screening and assessment
- Students referred through school-based health programs
- Children transitioning from other public health insurance programs
Geographic and Residential Requirements
- Residency: Must live in Hillsborough County
- Age Range: Children between 5-19 years old
- Diagnostic Criteria: Meet criteria for behavioral health or substance use disorders
- Medical Complexity: Often have co-occurring medical conditions requiring integrated care
- Family Commitment: Family willingness to participate in treatment planning and services
Getting Started with B-NET Services
Taking the Next Step
If your child has Children's Medical Services or Florida Healthy Kids coverage and is experiencing behavioral health challenges, B-NET may be able to provide the comprehensive support your family needs.
Step 1: Contact Your Care Manager
Talk to your child's CMS Sunshine Health Plan Care Manager:
- Discuss your concerns about your child's behavioral health needs
- Request information about B-NET eligibility and services
- Ask for assistance with the referral process
- Get support with service authorization and benefit navigation
Step 2: Direct Program Contact
Call or email our B-NET office directly:
- Program Supervisor: Pamela Gray, LCSW
- Phone: 813-239-8310
- Email: pgray@ibishealthcare.org
- Website: ibishealthcare.org
What to Expect in the Process
- Initial Contact: Brief phone screening to discuss your child's needs and program eligibility
- Comprehensive Assessment: Thorough evaluation of your child's behavioral health and family needs
- Service Planning: Collaborative development of treatment goals and service plan
- Service Implementation: Begin receiving coordinated behavioral health services
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular review of progress and adjustment of services as needed
Important Note: All referrals are processed through the Lead Agency B-NET Liaison, who will complete a comprehensive screening and clinical assessment for eligibility.
Comprehensive Services Provided
Clinical Assessment and Evaluation
Comprehensive Diagnostic Services to create Individualized Treatment
Assessments Include:
- Psychological Testing: Comprehensive evaluation of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
- Trauma Assessment: Specialized evaluation for children who have experienced trauma
- Developmental Assessment: Evaluation of developmental milestones and special needs
- Family Assessment: Assessment of family dynamics, communication patterns, and support systems
- Educational Assessment: Review of learning needs, special education services, and academic functioning
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Interventions
Mental health and substance abuse counseling utilizes proven therapeutic approaches specifically adapted for children with complex medical and behavioral health needs:
Individual Therapy Services:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Address negative thought patterns and behaviors
- Play Therapy: Age-appropriate intervention for younger children
- Trauma-Focused CBT: Specialized treatment for children who have experienced trauma
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills: Emotion regulation and distress tolerance training
- Motivational Interviewing: Supporting motivation for positive behavior change
Family Therapy and Parent Support:
- Family Systems Therapy: Addressing family dynamics and communication patterns
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Improving parent-child relationships and behavior management
- Family Crisis Intervention: Emergency support and crisis de-escalation
- Sibling Support: Addressing the impact of mental health conditions on siblings
- Extended Family Engagement: Involving grandparents and other significant family members
Group Therapy Programming:
- Social Skills Groups: Building peer relationships and communication abilities
- Coping Skills Groups: Learning stress management and emotional regulation techniques
- Substance Abuse Prevention: Education and prevention programming for at-risk youth
- Peer Support Groups: Connection with other children facing similar challenges
- Psychoeducation Groups: Understanding mental health conditions and treatment
Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management
Comprehensive Psychiatric Services
Psychiatric evaluation includes thorough assessment and ongoing medication management for children with complex behavioral health needs:
Psychiatric Assessment Components:
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Interview: Detailed evaluation of psychiatric symptoms and history
- Medical Integration: Consideration of medical conditions that may impact mental health
- Developmental Assessment: Age-appropriate evaluation of cognitive and emotional development
- Medication History Review: Assessment of previous medication trials and responses
- Risk Assessment: Evaluation of safety concerns and suicidal or aggressive behaviors
Medication Management Services:
- Careful Monitoring: Regular assessment of medication effectiveness and side effects
- Dosage Optimization: Adjustment of medications based on growth, development, and response
- Drug Interaction Screening: Monitoring for interactions with medical medications
- Family Education: Teaching families about psychiatric medications and adherence
- School Coordination: Communication with school nurses regarding medication administration
Targeted Case Management
Comprehensive Care Coordination
Targeted case management provides intensive coordination of medical, behavioral health, educational, and social services:
Case Management Functions:
- Service Coordination: Linking families with appropriate medical, educational, and social services
- Appointment Coordination: Assistance with scheduling and transportation to appointments
- Insurance Navigation: Support with insurance authorization, appeals, and benefit optimization
- Crisis Planning: Development of comprehensive crisis prevention and response plans
- Transition Support: Assistance with transitions between services, schools, and providers
Community Resource Connection:
- Medical Specialists: Coordination with pediatric subspecialists and therapies
- Educational Services: Support with IEP meetings, special education services, and school advocacy
- Social Services: Connection with housing assistance, food security, and financial support
- Recreational Programs: Linkage with therapeutic recreation and community activities
- Respite Care: Support for families needing temporary relief and support
How Long Does the Program last?
Individualized Treatment Planning
Average length of service is 6 months to 2 years, depending on the individual child's needs, progress, and family goals:
Service Duration Factors:
- Complexity of Conditions: Children with multiple diagnoses may require longer-term support
- Family Needs: Families with limited resources may benefit from extended case management
- Treatment Response: Some children may achieve goals quickly while others require longer intervention
- Crisis Frequency: Children with frequent crises may need intensive services for extended periods
- Transition Planning: Some children require extended support during major life transitions
Ongoing Eligibility and Services
Children can receive B-NET services until 18 years old (or up to 19 if still in high school) as long as they:
- Meet Diagnostic Criteria: Continue to have behavioral health conditions requiring treatment
- Maintain Title XXI Coverage: Keep CMS or Florida Healthy Kids insurance coverage
- Show Treatment Engagement: Participate actively in treatment planning and services
- Demonstrate Need: Continue to benefit from intensive behavioral health services
- Family Participation: Maintain family engagement in treatment and service planning
Integrating Medical Needs and Educational Services
Coordinated Care Approach
Medical-Behavioral Health Integration
B-NET recognizes that children with special healthcare needs often have complex relationships between their medical conditions and behavioral health needs:
Integrated Care Components:
- Medical Team Communication: Regular communication with pediatricians and specialists
- Medication Coordination: Monitoring interactions between psychiatric and medical medications
- Treatment Planning: Coordinated goals that address both medical and behavioral health needs
- Crisis Planning: Integration of medical and psychiatric emergency response plans
- Family Education: Comprehensive education about both medical and behavioral health conditions
Educational System Collaboration
School-Based Support:
- IEP and 504 Plan Support: Assistance with educational planning and accommodation requests
- School Consultation: Clinical consultation with teachers and school mental health staff
- Behavioral Support Planning: Development of school-based behavioral intervention plans
- Transition Planning: Support for transitions between grade levels and educational settings
- Academic Advocacy: Ensuring that behavioral health needs don't interfere with educational progress
Program Outcomes
Evidence-Based Results
B-NET has demonstrated significant success in improving outcomes for children with complex medical and behavioral health needs:
Measurable Improvements:
- Reduced Hospitalizations: Decreased psychiatric and medical emergency admissions
- Improved School Performance: Better attendance, grades, and behavioral functioning
- Enhanced Family Functioning: Improved family communication, stability, and resource access
- Decreased Crisis Events: Fewer emergency interventions and crisis situations
- Increased Treatment Engagement: Better adherence to medical and behavioral health treatment
Information Protection: To best protect your child's personal information, please do not include dates of birth or other sensitive information in initial email communications.
B-NET is committed to helping children with special healthcare needs and their families access the comprehensive behavioral health services they need to thrive in their communities, succeed in school, and maintain healthy family relationships.
It just takes a beginning. Both physical and mental health affect how we think, feel, and act on the inside and outside. This is true for children and adults. I'm proud to oversee a program that not only focuses on the child but strives to strengthen the whole family.