Home-Based Services
The goal of our Home-Based Services Program is to help families stay together and thrive. Often, good families have developmental challenges that an objective professional can help guide the family to wellness. This may include situations in which the child is at imminent risk of leaving or being removed from the home or is currently out of the home and needs help to return.
CHOICES Home-Based Services Program provides therapeutic services in the homes of the children and their families.
Are you looking to make a referral for your child to receive mental health services?
Children’s Mental Health Services
Parents or guardians whose children have Ohio Medicaid-based insurance can refer their children directly to CHOICES for services.
The Home Based Services department offers in-home outpatient mental health services for youth 4-18 years of age. CHOICES mental health team has a holistic approach to serving youth when providing counseling and supportive services in the community. This dynamic team has specialties in trauma informed care, attachment disruptions, Depression, Anxiety, Oppositional behavior, and ADHD.
The Home Based team has licensed therapists with expertise in completing full mental health assessments and creating individualized treatment plans to meet each client’s needs.
CHOICES provides mental health services to youth in Montgomery, Clark, Greene, Hamilton and Warren Counties. Youth must have an active Ohio Medicaid Insurance from one of the managed care agencies: Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Molina Healthcare, Paramount Advantage and United Healthcare
When to Call? This program may be able to help your child if he/she is experiencing one or more of the following:
- A change in behavior in the home, school or community.
- An unexplained academic decline.
- Loss of interest in things your child typically enjoys.
- New or increased anxiety.
- Experiencing a death or traumatic event.
- Increase in anger or impulsiveness.
- When you are struggling to manage your child’s behaviors.
- When things just don’t feel right. (trust your gut)
Meet our Mental Health Team
Caroline Hamblin
Mental Health Therapist
Full ProfileCaroline Hamblin
Mental Health Therapist
LPC, NCC
“Don’t let this battle take days off your life. Suns going to shine, future is bright. Promise one day you’re going to get back your fight” by Sarah Reeves
Hi! I’m Caroline Hamblin! I graduated with my Bachelors in Human Services and Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College and then with my Maters of Education also from Lindsey Wilson College. I have my LPC and NCC and I’m working toward getting my LPCC. I knew from the start that I wanted to work with children because I wanted to help empower them to become the best that they can be. My style for counseling is very client focused because they are the experts in their own life. I am merely a person to help challenge their thoughts and behaviors while also giving them the tools to reach their full potential. I enjoy utilizing play therapy concepts and cognitive behavioral therapy concepts with my clients.
When I am not working I am spending time with family, coloring, diamond painting, doing puzzles, reading or binge watching TV shows.
Vinnie Vinolus
Home-Based Intern
Full ProfileVinnie Vinolus
Home-Based Intern
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” – Maya Angelou
Hello,
I am a social work intern less than a year away from my MSW! I am receiving the online degree from Grand Canyon University and look forward to all of the avenues I can venture down as my passions shift with time. Ever since high school, though, I have had a desire to help students learn themselves and improve their mental capabilities as they grow up. To best serve these kids, I have been trained in evidence based practices like cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, motivational interviewing, active listening, and reflective listening. Some of my key life values are to listen more than talk, hope in a hurting world, provide trust and authenticity despite what others say, and go beyond the surface.
I believe in the motto “all crew no passengers” which helps me involve everyone and remind others to get on board. All hands on deck, no bystanders. As I learn my desired therapeutic practice, I strive to meet the client where they are, help them realize their potential, and empower them to achieve their life goals.
Gwendolyn Thompson
Mental Health Support Worker
Full ProfileGwendolyn Thompson
Mental Health Support Worker
MSW, BSW
“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
~Theodore Roosevelt
When human beings are faced with life challenges, it is not uncommon for them to feel that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. My main focus has been to bring hope, compassion, and empathy to the population I’ve served with children, adults and families. I build trust with clients, and in doing so, it allows them to trust me and the process.
My educational background includes a Master of Arts degree in Social Work (MSW) from Wright State University/Miami University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work (BSW) from Central State University.
During my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking and baking, but what brings me joy, is knowing that I am the daughter/niece/sister/mother/grandmother/friend that they can count on regardless of the situation.
Faithlyn Schwandt
Intake Assessor & Mental Health Therapist
Full ProfileFaithlyn Schwandt
Intake Assessor & Mental Health Therapist
Good day, my name is Faithlyn Schwandt. I am a Licensed Social Worker. I hold a Masters in Social Work from Salisbury University. My favorite quote is “A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at them” – David Brinkley
Before CHOICES Inc., I was a clinical case manager for therapeutic foster care youth. I have a passion for the youth that I work with and strive to do my best so that they are able to achieve their best.
When I am not at work, I go to the gym, scrapbook, and spend time with family.
Michelle Bruce
HBS Team Lead
Full ProfileMichelle Bruce
HBS Team Lead
LSW
“One of the most important things you will ever do is how you make someone feel” ~Jean Collins~
I am a licensed Social Worker with 27 years of experience in child welfare, foster care and mental health. I believe a positive, healthy therapeutic relationship can bring about hope and change. Building trust in a relationship is extremely important, as that is one of my core values. I also value diversity and differences. I believe that everyone has the right to use self-determination, making the changes they need to improve their lives and reach their full potential. I am an advocate for client happiness and well-being. I offer a relaxed approach to changing your thinking, in order to begin healing. I am passionate about working with children and families, and use a variety of techniques to achieve success.
Kim Moreth
Mental Health Support Worker
Full ProfileKim Moreth
Mental Health Support Worker
LCDC II
Hi! My name is Kimberly Moreth. I am a Mental Health Support worker at Choices. I completed a Associate Degree through Sinclair Community College in Applied Science. My major for my degree was Mental Health and Chemical Dependency. I am a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor through the Chemical Dependency Professional Board.
Before Choices, I worked for 7 years as Chemical Dependency Therapist. I would work with Adults, children, and families that are struggling with Chemical Dependency issues. I also worked for another agency before Choices, where I was a Mental Health Support worker, I would work with Adults and Families that are struggling with Severe Persistent Mental Health and Severe Chemical Dependency issues. I have a passion and have focused my career with working with Adults, Children and Families that are struggling with Mental Health and Chemical Dependency.
My goal is to go back to college to begin earning a social work degree. When I am not at work I am spending time with my daughters and grandson. I enjoy working on puzzles and reading.
Alex Euganeo
Mental Health Therapist
Full ProfileAlex Euganeo
Mental Health Therapist
MSW, LSW
“Every new day is a new opportunity to be better than we were the day before.”
We cannot predict or change the hand we’ve been dealt in life, but we can change our mindset and attitude about it. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason and life works out exactly how it is supposed to.
I am a Licensed Social Worker and obtained my Master’s degree in social work at the University of Central Florida in 2023. I am certified in trauma-informed care through the Trauma and Loss in Children modality. I currently provide services as a Mental Health Therapist with CHOICES.
I am passionate about assisting youth who are struggling with anxiety, depression, anger control issues, PTSD, and adjustment disorders. I have experience working with youth ages 4-21 with a variety of mental health diagnoses. I also have experience working with homeless, runaway, and vulnerable youth at an emergency youth shelter and transitional housing agency. My therapeutic approach is based on my belief that the counseling process is an alliance between client and therapist and the clients are the experts of their lives. I often utilize cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, and other evidence-based approaches to best meet the needs and goals of my clients. I like to educate my clients on the concepts of mindfulness and manifestation to assist them in being present, identifying their inner strengths, and achieving their desired goals.
When I am not working or in school, I like to spend my time with my family, my 3 kitties, and my pup.
my pup.
Yalonda Slaughter
Mental Health Support Worker
Full ProfileYalonda Slaughter
Mental Health Support Worker
QMHS
Hi! My name is Yalonda Slaughter. I am a Mental Health Support Worker for CHOICES. I hold an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelors in Human Services: Child and Family Welfare. I am in the process of finishing my last couple of classes at Clark State Community College for my Chemical Dependency Certification.
Before CHOICES, I worked specifically with at-risk troubled adolescents in Juvenile Detention Centers. I have worked for Montgomery County Juvenile Probation as a Treatment Court Specialist, specializing with youth who are struggling with substance abuse disorders and mental health issues. My desire has always been to work with youth and families and to eventually own my own Group Home that places a lot of emphasis on Adolescents and Drug Recovery.
When I am not at work you can always find me spending time with my family, especially my younger nieces and nephews, reading and writing for my blog website. I love to bake and work out.
Duke Durkey
Mental Health Therapist
Full ProfileDuke Durkey
Mental Health Therapist
MSW, LSW
‘The simple things you see are all complicated’
My name is Duke Durkey, MSW and I graduated from Indiana University. I also have degrees from Sinclair and Wright State. I have experience in inpatient treatment, case management, and therapy.
I have worked with youth in all capacities and all ages. I have been trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy. A great satisfaction is reuniting families and being a part of watching foster children thrive. Being a part of healing and reunification. At the stage of life our clients are at, there is a good chance of successful intervention before trauma becomes irreversible. I have never experienced a child that didn’t teach me far more than I could ever teach them. It’s all beautifully life affirming and restorative of basic humanity.
Josie Yantis
Mental Health Support Worker
Full ProfileJosie Yantis
Mental Health Support Worker
Hi! My names Josie and one of my favorite quotes is “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow” (unknown).
I’m passionate about my role as a mental health support specialist! I truly enjoy cultivating positive relationships with the youth and guiding them towards having fulfilling and meaningful lives. I went to college at Wright State University where I graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology and I have full intentions of going back for a Master’s degree in Counseling. Ultimately, I would like to be a Christian counselor and utilize a faith based approach to help people win life’s battles. In my free time, I like to go to the gym, play frisbee golf, read, paint/draw, cook, and spend time with family.
If your child could benefit from our mental health services or you have questions please call our main office at (937) 264-0084. You can also email us.