The Child Guidance Service is part of a wide range of public health services whose aim is to promote personal health and to protect the state’s natural environment.

Clinics in the Child Guidance Service system offer preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for developmental, behavioral health, speech, language, and hearing problems. Emphasis is on prevention, early detection, and short-term treatment. In operation, this philosophy translates into services to children – a function that provides for the present and prepares for the future.

Child Guidance Clinics are accessible to all residents of Oklahoma, providing multidisciplinary outpatient services for children and their families. Community groups, civic organizations, schools, and health-related agencies also have access to the clinics’ consultative and educational services. Thousands of clients annually receive services from the statewide network of Child Guidance Clinics.

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In the early 1950’s, outpatient mental health services for Oklahoma children were virtually non-existent. Although some help was available for severely disordered children, little provision had been made to diagnose and treat mildly to moderately disturbed children under the age of eighteen. The health department’s philosophy of primary intervention, early detection, and short-term treatment made this agency the logical choice to establish a program offering such services, and in 1956 the Oklahoma State Department of Health Child Guidance Service was created.

The Child Guidance Service began by providing services on a part-time basis to children in two Oklahoma counties. Initially, the Child Guidance Clinics functioned primarily for diagnosis and referral of mentally retarded and learning disabled children.

Through the decades, the Child Guidance Clinics have expanded their services to include prevention, treatment, and consultation for a broader range of child and family related problems in addition to diagnosis and referral. This was accomplished, in part, by the promotion of a multidisciplinary concept and a strong alliance with other child service agencies, particularly the public schools. The current network of Child Guidance Clinics throughout the state makes quality services available to children and families in all 77 counties.

As of July 1, 1997, the Oklahoma State Department of Health contracted with City/County Health Department of Oklahoma County for the administration of Guidance Services in Oklahoma County. Through City/County Health Department, Child Guidance Services are provided at several locations, which include the OCCHD Main Facility, Edmond Hope Center, and Rominger Center. Child Guidance services are accessed by contacting the Guidance Clinic a the main facility.

The Child Guidance Service system employs professional staff in four specialty areas: child development, psychology, speech-language pathology, and experiential intervention therapy.

Child Guidance Clinics provide assessment/screening of children for psychological, developmental, speech, language, and hearing problems through:

Interviews
Screening and standardized testing
Referral to appropriate agencies as needed

Short term group, individual, and family services are also available for:

Emotional, behavioral, and learning problems
Family relationship problems
Early identification of speech, language, and Hearing problems

Primary prevention is provided through:

Parent education groups and workshops
Information regarding development of speech, Language, and hearing
Promotion of family strengths
Normal growth and development information
Developmental assessments

Finally, educational and consultative services are provided through cooperative efforts with:

Schools
Head Start
Even Start
Other community agencies and organizations

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