1. Continuum of Care Reform Ventura County Update
March 30, 2017

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. 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 – days)
Focus on neurorelational assessment, continuity of care and appropriate linkage to services
Recruitment of home based shelter resource families – somewhat successful

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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