Continuum of Care Reform Ventura County Update March 30, 2017

Working Well Continued collaboration, including integrated planning and implementation, between child welfare, probation, behavioral health and public health. Teaming: Adoption of comprehensive family teaming model by CFS Integration of all teaming meetings (including CFTs) into single Family Team Meeting structure Higher frequency than required by CCR Probation began FTMs in January 2017 – going very well Implementation of Family Preservation Joint Homebuilders contract through BH and CFS Early implementation of RFA (Cohort 2)

Working Well… Behavioral Health FPRRS funding Universal Access for all CFS children Full assessment and, at least, short term clinical intervention Priority Access for Services and Supports (PASS) Expedited access to treatment – removal to treatment in 15 days Seeking MHSA Innovation funding Adaption of pilot done with adults in CFS Initial Services Expansion of intensive, home based, trauma informed services FPRRS funding Support to both Probation and CFS FPRRS: Probation: $232,896 in state funding allocation for Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention and Support (FPRRS) now in use by the Juvenile Placement Unit. Funds used for employing a Senior Deputy Probation Officer for CCR/Integrated Services Coordinator, a Corrections Services Officer II to assist with transportation for FTMs, visitations, and other CCR related activities, contracted with Seneca Family Finding Agency’s online search program, Flex Spending account for miscellaneous items such as costs associated with funding “normal activities” for youth, smoke detectors for family homes, etc.

Working well… Congregate care shelter 50% decrease in average shelter census in past 2 years Elimination of placements for children 0-5 y.o. Few initial placements – primarily children placed due to placement disruption Will be licensed as STRTP (Short term – 30-45 days) Focus on neurorelational assessment, continuity of care and appropriate linkage to services Recruitment of home based shelter resource families – somewhat successful

Challenges Availability of resources to address those children/families with the highly complex needs, particularly for Probation youth High % of Probation youth in congregate care Resource expansion difficult in current economic climate Resource Family Approval Increased time to approval (up to 6 months) Decrease overall in relative/NREFM placements Ensuring sufficient home based placement options Particularly for children with the highest challenges Concerns about additional workload – LoC, CANS/TOPS, FTMs, etc.

Next Steps Teaming Teaming and Family Finding “Boot Camp” for staff across agencies Increased family finding efforts and safety network development Integration of behavioral health generalist into teaming process Continued rollout of FTMs Increased use and involvement of Wraparound and other intensive services Development and implementation of Therapeutic Foster Care Establish local STRTP placement and LoC process Implementation of PASS model for children Specific geographic focus Small region of county has 50% of children removed from home

Next Steps… Continued clarification and enhancement of PHN role Multi agency workgroup focusing on integration of physical and behavioral health, developmental and educational needs and services of children CFS Services Redesign Comprehensive review, redesign and integration of continuum of services supporting CFS children and families, including both contracted and other community services and supports Goals: Support child welfare outcomes Consistent with CFS strategic direction and practice behaviors Promote seamless service delivery system – reduce bifurcation of services Reduce disparities – geographic, cultural/language, etc. Principles: Services to entire families, not only child Holistic, whole person care Address complicating factors