|
Together youth, families and organizations form a system of care that provides services that support the needs of children and youth experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges, and their families. We listen to each other, learn from each other and share resources.
 |
About Systems of Care
A system of care is a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that are organized to meet the challenges of children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families:
Families, as well as children and youth, work in partnership with public and private organizations so services and supports are effective, build on the strengths of individuals, and address each person’s cultural and linguistic needs.
In a well functioning system of care agencies work together to achieve the best outcomes for a shared population.
Systems of Care Core Principles:
- Family Driven and Youth Guided
- Strength Based
- Culturally Competent
- Community Based
- Utilization of Evidence Based and Best Practice Models
- Multi Agency Collaboration
Who is part of Monterey County’s System of Care?
Children and youth impacted by emotional and behavioral challenges and their families as well as any organization serving the needs of these children, youth and families. In Monterey County this includes:
- Monterey County Health Department, Children’s Behavioral Health
- Department of Social and Employment Services
- Probation Department
- Monterey County Office of Education
- Monterey County First 5
- …and many more
Why is a System of Care Important?
System of Care communities have been successful not only in meeting the mental health needs of children and youth, but also in helping them thrive in all aspects of their lives. Children and youth with serious mental health needs make substantial improvements at home, at school and in the community when served through systems of care that provide community-based services such as Monterey County’s System of Care: La Familia Sana/the Healthy Family.
Systems of Care Help Families…
Have a Voice in the Care of Their Child.
Systems of Care Help Children…
Be Safe, Stay in School and Out of Trouble!
Systems of Care Help Organizations…
Use Resources Efficiently to Provide Better Quality Care to more Children.
Data suggest that systems of care save taxpayers money when compared to traditional mental health service delivery systems. In addition, data show that children and youth in systems of care spend less time in inpatient care, experience fewer arrests, make improvements in their overall mental health and do better in school than before enrollment. 2005 key outcomes for children and families served in a system of care, such as Monterey County’s included:
- Decreased hospitalization
- Reduced involvement in the juvenile justice system
- Mental health improvements
- Suicide-related behaviors were significantly reduced
- School attendance improved
- School achievement improved
- Significant reductions in placements in juvenile detention and other secure facilities
Our Vision:
A community supported by a system of care where youth, families and organizations work together to support the needs of children and youth experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges; where services are helpful, easy to access, available as long as needed and supportive of the needs of the individual and the family as a whole. A safe community with trust, hope, respect and partnership.
Our Mission:
Together youth, families and organizations form a system of care that provides services that support the needs of children and youth experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges, and their families. We listen to each other, learn from each other and share resources. Together we will work for the mental health, well-being and safety of the children, youth, and families of Monterey County by:
- Adopting a “no wrong door” approach which means coordinating and planning services in a way that makes them easy to access and ensures that no matter through which door people enter, they receive the help, information and services they need.
- Providing services and information in a manner and language that ensure people of all cultures in Monterey County feel welcome and cared for.
- Participating in trainings to do our job in the best possible way and adopting services and programs that have shown good outcomes.
Together these steps will allow resources (people, knowledge, programs and money) to be used better so that services can be available as long as they are needed. |
