Community Treatment Aide (CTA) Services | S.O.S. Counseling

The Service

What Is a Community Treatment Aide?

A Community Treatment Aide (CTA) is a trained behavioral health paraprofessional who works directly with clients and families — in the home, at school, or in community settings — to build the practical skills needed for lasting change.

CTA services are ordered by a therapist as part of a client's overall treatment plan. Rather than waiting for a weekly office appointment, a CTA comes to you — meeting families in their real environment and working on goals in the context where they actually matter.

Services are covered under Medicaid for eligible clients, making this a high-value, low-barrier option for families who need consistent hands-on support.

In-Home Delivery

Sessions happen where clients live — not in a waiting room. That's where habits form, conflicts happen, and real growth takes place.

Family-Centered

The whole household benefits. CTAs coach parents, reinforce the therapist's work, and help families build routines that stick.

Therapist-Directed

Every CTA session is guided by a treatment plan developed with the client's licensed therapist. Goals are coordinated and progress is tracked together.

Medicaid Covered

CTA services are covered under Medicaid (Total Care, UHC, Healthy Blue) for eligible clients. We'll help verify coverage when you refer.

What We Work On

Focus Areas

CTA sessions are structured around the specific goals in each client's treatment plan. Common focus areas include:

Parenting Techniques

Practical strategies for setting boundaries, building consistency, and responding to behavior in ways that reinforce growth rather than conflict.

Behavioral Modification

Working directly with youth to identify triggers, build replacement behaviors, and create positive patterns through structured, in-the-moment coaching.

Anger Management

Teaching clients — especially youth — to recognize emotional escalation early and use evidence-based coping strategies before situations spiral.

Reunification Support

Helping families rebuild trust and communication after separation, involvement with the child welfare system, or other significant disruptions.

School-Based Support

Coordinating with teachers and school counselors to reinforce behavioral strategies in the classroom and help youth succeed academically and socially.

Youth Mentorship

Building rapport with at-risk youth as a trusted adult presence — modeling healthy decision-making and supporting goal-setting for their future.

Why S.O.S. Counseling

What Makes Our CTA Program Different

We don't just send someone to check a box. Our CTAs are deeply invested in the families they serve — and their work is backed by a full clinical team.

Integrated with therapy
Our CTAs work alongside our licensed therapists, not in isolation. Goals are shared, communication is regular, and progress is coordinated across the whole treatment team.
Experienced professionals
Our CTA team brings real-world depth to this work — including over 15 years of experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, and youth mentorship.
Community-rooted
We're based in Grand Island and serve the surrounding area. Our CTAs know this community — its schools, its systems, and the unique challenges families here face.
Flexible and responsive
CTA sessions are scheduled around family life — not just business hours. We work mornings, evenings, and weekends to meet clients when and where they need us.
Part of a full-service practice
Because we're embedded in a licensed mental health practice, CTA clients have access to the full range of S.O.S. services — therapy, case management, and crisis support — as their needs evolve.

Meet Our CTA Team

Shayla Punchocar

Community Treatment Aide

Specializing in CTA services, adolescent support, and family skill-building.

Brandon Hinrichs

Community Treatment Aide

15+ years in behavioral health. Specializing in youth mentorship and crisis intervention.

Our CTAs are supervised by licensed therapists Cindy Kissack and Jenna Davis, ensuring clinical oversight on every case.

Getting Started

The Referral Process

Referring a client for CTA services is straightforward. Here's what to expect from start to first session.

Submit a Referral

Complete the online referral form. In the Services Requested section, check Community Treatment Aide (CTA). You can also select a preferred CTA provider or leave it as "First Available."

Go to Referral Form →

Insurance Verification

Our team will contact you to verify the client's Medicaid coverage or other insurance. CTA services require prior authorization from some Medicaid plans (especially Healthy Blue), so we handle that process for you.

Therapist Assignment & Treatment Planning

A licensed therapist at S.O.S. will review the referral and develop an individualized treatment plan. CTA goals are established collaboratively with the client, family, and referring provider.

CTA Match & Schedule

We'll match the client with the appropriate CTA based on their needs, schedule, and preferences. Sessions are typically scheduled 1–3 times per week and take place in the home or community.

Ongoing Coordination

Progress is documented after each session and reviewed regularly with the supervising therapist. Referring providers and families are kept in the loop throughout.

Who Can Refer

Accepted Referral Sources

We accept referrals from a wide range of providers and organizations, including:

Licensed therapists and mental health providers
Primary care physicians and pediatricians
Schools and school counselors
DHHS caseworkers and child welfare agencies
Probation officers and juvenile justice programs
Hospitals and crisis centers
Parents and guardians (self-referral is welcome)

If you're unsure whether your client qualifies, contact us and we'll help you determine the right fit.

Ready to Refer?

Use our online referral form to submit a new CTA referral. You can fill it out yourself or have our virtual assistant guide you through it step by step.

Submit a Referral

Call us directly at 308-856-9949

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM