Children, Youth & Families System of Care
Therapeutic Behavioral Services
Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) is an intensive, individualized, one-to-one behavioral coaching program available to children/youth up to age 21 who are experiencing a current emotional or behavioral challenge or experiencing a stressful life transition.
TBS is only available to children/youth with full-scope Medi-Cal benefits who are receiving ongoing mental health services.
TBS can help children/youth and parents/caregivers learn skills to
increase successful behaviors and learn new ways of reducing
challenging behaviors. TBS is not a stand-alone service; it supports
an ongoing primary mental health service such as mental health therapy
or case management.
TBS is available to children/youth
who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Experiencing difficult behaviors which may jeopardize their placement;
- Currently living in a group home or short-term residential therapeutic program (STRTP);
- At risk of psychiatric hospitalization, or have been psychiatrically hospitalized within the last 24 months;
- Transitioning to a lower level placement; and
- Previously received TBS services.
Referrals are sent to the County's TBS provider for services.
TBS Prior Authorization Request & Referral
Form serves as both prior authorization request and referral form:
TBS Referral Form - April 2022
Fax referrals to Optum Public Sector San Diego at (866) 220 - 4495
For information, questions, and concerns
Contact New Alternatives - TBS Office
Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 5
p.m.
(858) 256-2180
TBS Program Brochure (English/Spanish) - updated August 2023
The material provided on this page is for reference only. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1. If you need support or are actively seeking services, please call the ACL at 1 (888) 724-7240 (TDD/TTY Dial 711) and an experienced counselor will provide you with a referral to meet your needs and help determine eligibility.
For administrative information or to provide feedback about this page, send us an email.