Fighting Fragmentation: Coordination of Services for Children and Families

I. Introduction II. Coordination of Services for Children ... A. History of Coordination of Social Services … B. Coordination of Mental Health Services for Children ... C. The CASSP Program ... D. The Willie M. Program ... E. The Ventura County Model III. Characteristics of Effective Coordinated Service Programs ... A. General System Values ... 1. Clear Value Statement ... 2. Family-Centered Orientation ... 3. Broad Community Involvement ... 4. Involvement of the Educational System ... B. System Processes ... 1. Accessible Intake Location ... 2. Evaluation of All Needs at Intake ... 3. Case Management ... 4. Service Plan ... 5. Dispute Resolution ... C. Ability to Provide Quality Services ... 1. High Quality Services ... 2. Flexibility in Funding ... D. System Management ... 1. Information System ... 2. Measurement of Effectiveness ... 3. Planning Mechanism ... 4. Development of Additional Services ... 5. Communication Capability ... 6. "Reverse Discrimination" in Funding IV. Conclusion