Mental Health Services for Babies and Preschool-Aged Children
Through our Therapeutic Interagency Program (TIP) at Cincinnati Children’s, we provide mental health services to some of the youngest children in our community. Our program serves families in three ways:
Baby TIP
Baby TIP is a case management program that helps babies at any time between birth and age 3. We use evidence-based treatment models to provide mental health and developmental services for the child and caregiver.
TIP Day Treatment
TIP is a day treatment program for children that we provide in a preschool setting. It combines child protection, mental health, education and school transition. The goals of treatment are to ensure ongoing child safety, provide mental health services and enhance growth.
TIP Clinic
The TIP Clinic helps children transition in or out of TIP. Children receive mental health and developmental services at a higher level, compared to traditional outpatient psychiatry. Little ones receive the expert care that they’re used to, which supports their specific developmental needs.
To get started, call 513-517-1116 or 513-636-1413, or email* TIP@cchmc.org.
Who Can Join TIP?
TIP is for kids who are:
- Ages 3 to 5 years
- From families with a history of childhood neglect, child abuse, family violence or other trauma and:
- Are at risk of or have shown evidence of developmental or behavioral problems
- Have shown serious developmental or behavioral problems that led to removal from a home, school or therapeutic environment
Note: Participants don’t have to live in Hamilton County to join TIP. However, they must live in Hamilton County to receive transportation services.
Baby TIP is a family-centered program, so caregivers must be involved. The program serves babies who are:
- Ages 0 to 3 years
- From families with a history of challenges, such as childhood neglect, child abuse, family violence, addiction or trauma
- At risk of or have shown evidence of developmental, emotional or behavioral problems
- At risk of displacement from home, daycare or a family setting (kinship)
What to Expect
Here are the basic steps you can expect with TIP.
Contact Us or Get Started
Most families are referred to TIP. You may receive a referral from a group, such as the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) or the Comprehensive Health Evaluations for Cincinnati’s Kids (CHECK) Center at Cincinnati Children’s. Families also can refer themselves.
To make a referral, either:
- Call 513-517-1116 or 513-636-1413
- Email* TIP@cchmc.org
Receive a Diagnostic Assessment
After we receive the referral, we schedule a diagnostic assessment with you and the child in your care. Together, we come up with a treatment plan.
If your child is preschool age, we’ll see if they’re a good fit for TIP and the classroom. If your child is ready for TIP, we add them to our waitlist. They may receive outpatient therapy in the TIP Clinic while on the waitlist. If TIP isn’t the best option, we’ll connect you to other resources.
Send Your Child to TIP
If your child is ready and a spot is available, they can start TIP. We offer two half-day sessions during the week:
- Mornings from 7:30 to 11 am
- Afternoons from 11:45 am to 3:15 pm
Food
We provide children in the morning session with breakfast and lunch. Children in the afternoon session get lunch and a snack.
Transportation
Ohio JFS, not Cincinnati Children’s, manages all transportation to and from TIP. JFS has its own requirements for who can use non-emergency-transportation (NET) services. For example, your child must receive Medicaid and live in Hamilton County. TIP staff arrange any transportation needs for you with JFS.
Other Services
While at TIP, your child will receive:
- Case management
- Mental health therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Pre-Kindergarten readiness, including an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) evaluation
Use the TIP Clinic to Transition to Kindergarten
Your child may benefit from TIP Clinic services for a period while they transition from preschool to kindergarten. As experts in little ones, we focus on children ages 10 and younger. We mainly provide outpatient therapy. If your child already sees a therapist through TIP, they might continue with that therapist as needed.
TIP Location
TIP is located at the Winslow campus.
*Please remember that information sent via email is not secure or confidential.
