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)
Our Mental Health Services for children include the following:
Meet our Mental Health Team
Earl Nichols
Mental Health Therapist
Full ProfileEarl Nichols
Mental Health Therapist
LPC
“Everything happens for a reason.” This is one of my favorite quotes as I truly believe that in life there is a reason for the things that we go through even though it can be difficult to see the reason.
Working as a mental health therapist since 2015, I have worked with a variety of mental health diagnosis and with many youth in the community. I have had a lot of success in working with people who are struggling with anger issues, defiance, as well as anxiety and depression. Many people tend to think that seeking help through mental health services is a weakness, however the insight to know you may benefit from some assistance actually proves strength and wisdom. I try to help my clients gain insight and wisdom while receiving services, as this will be able to help my client’s continue to grow once services have ended. I provide compassionate and supportive environment that allows for my clients to fully be themselves while in session in efforts to promote healing and self-discovery. I have specialties in Cognitive Based Therapy and Trauma and loss therapy.
Amanda Sheidler
Mental Health Support Worker
Full ProfileAmanda Sheidler
Mental Health Support Worker
QMHS
My favorite quote is ‘By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong’. These are words I live by in my personal and professional life.
My name is Amanda Sheidler, MS and I graduated from the University of Dayton in August 2007 and pursued a license in school counseling. I have vast experience in the education and clinical fields since I have earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wright State University in 2003. I have fulfilled duties such as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, school counselor, home-based special needs caregiver, volunteer for the courts, tutor, and finally my current position as a home-based mental health specialist.
I have enjoyed working with youth in all capacities and all ages. I have some experience with children with autism and I have been trained in crisis prevention. I especially enjoy working with the younger children who are passionate about their life and they are willing to share their thoughts and feelings openly. In the clinical setting, I use a humanistic approach in which I show openness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. Clients are allowed the opportunity to express their feelings without being judged and I help clients to discover their strengths rather than focus on their weaknesses
Wayne Edmondson
Mental Health Support Worker
Full ProfileWayne Edmondson
Mental Health Support Worker
QMHS
“The Penalty of Leadership…when an individual’s work becomes a standard for all to see it can also become a target. But if the Leader truly leads then they remain the Leader.”
My name is Wayne Edmondson I am a highly skilled interventionist who holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health & Human Services from Ohio University.
My clinical experience spans over a period of 20 years working with a diverse at-risk client population in a variety of settings. The foundation in which I engage my clients originates from teaching a character development curriculum consisting of 650 group sessions of Goldstein’s Skill Streaming & Samanau’s Thinking Errors.
The areas I specialize in treating are Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Bi-polar Disorder and Juvenile Sex Offenses. I rely on a holistic and evidenced based approach to assists clients with skill development and problem solving.
My commitment for serving on the front lines has enabled me to educate, empower and encourage individuals to overcome life’s challenges. My balance of empathy and firmness I feel set me apart as a Qualified Mental Health Specialist.
One of my key accomplishments was being recognized and honored as Employee of the Year for Centerpointe Health, a major community mental health provider in Greater Cincinnati.
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
Bio coming soon!
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.