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Therapeutic Behavioral Services

Santa Barbara County

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) are available for eligible children who are in jeopardy of being placed in a residential treatment facility or a high-level group home or who are returning home from such a placement.  TBS is a short-term program that focuses on changing a child’s behavior, while emphasizing the child’s strengths. TBS works in collaboration with the child, the child’s caregivers and the primary mental health provider to address 1 to 3 behaviors that jeopardize the child’s ability to remain in his or her current home. 

How It Works

TBS Santa BarbaraThe TBS specialist in consultation with the clinical supervisor and care giver develops and implements behavior intervention plans to help a child/youth live effectively in his or her home setting.  Services are delivered in the home, school or community as TBS specialists spend most of their time implementing behavioral interventions with the child/youth and working with parents and caregivers to effectively use behavioral plans (e.g. identifying coping skills, creating safety plans, behavioral tracking, positive reinforcement, parent coaching, etc.)  TBS has an excellent track record helping children stay in or transition to homes in the community and in keeping youth from hospitalizations.

A time limited (six months on average) behavioral intervention, TBS works alongside the youth’s counseling/clinical treatment team. 

Who Is Eligible


TBS accepts referrals from Santa Barbara County Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services and CBO’s and must (a) have full-scope Medi-Cal, (b) meet “medical necessity” criteria or have a qualifying mental health diagnosis, (c) already be receiving other mental health services, and (d) be a member of a certified class by meeting one of the following criteria:

  • Currently living in a group home facility, RCL (Rate Classification Level) 12 or above and/or locked treatment facility
  • Has undergone at least one emergency psychiatric hospitalization related to his/her current presenting disability within the past 24 months
  • Is being considered for placement in a group home facility, RCL 12 or above, and/or a locked treatment facility
  • Has previously received TBS services
  • Is displaying behaviors that is putting them at risk for acute care /psychiatric hospitalization


Genevieve Wilkinson, Program Manager
Phone: (805) 319-7536
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)