Systems of Care Model

Systems of Care is defined as a broad spectrum of flexible array of mental health and other necessary services and supports organized into a coordinated network to meet the multiple and changing needs of children and their families.

Systems of Care is a philosophy and approach that is based on a foundation of share values and principles about how we as a society/community care for children with special needs and their families. These set of beliefs or values then drive the development and implementation of the services and supports that will be made available to the child, youth and family in the community. This requires a new way of thinking and a new way of doing business from top down and bottom up.

Systems of Care is a framework for interagency service delivery that recognizes the importance of family, school and community, and seeks to promote the full potential of all children and youth by addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual, cultural and social needs. Systems of Care recognizes that children and families have needs in many domains and these needs are considered in serving children and their families, rather than addressing mental health treatment in isolation.

This approach places the child, youth and family at the center of the decision making process as well as being major partners in the planning and policy development for the system itself. A Systems of Care approach supports the creation of formal networks and linkages among the various public child-serving agencies and private service providers.

The Systems of Care Core Values are:

• Child-centered, family focused, youth guided and family driven.
• Strength and solution based
• Community based
• Culturally and linguistically competent

The Guiding Principles are:

• Access to a comprehensive array of services
• Services are to be individualized via a wraparound approach
• Services are provided within the least restrictive and most normative environment
• Full participation of families in all aspects of the planning and service delivery
• Services must be integrated and coordinated among all service providers
• Intensive case-management utilizing the wraparound fidelity model
• Early identification and intervention for positive outcomes
• Smooth transitions into the adult service systems
• Rights of the child must be protected and empowerment promoted at all levels
• Services without regard to race, gender, religion, natural origin, physical disability and services should be sensitive and responsive to cultural differences.

Collaboration among all stakeholders/partners is the key to making the systems work.