THE KATIE A SETTLEMENT:

IMPLICATIONS FOR CalSWEC

Child Welfare Committee Mental Health Committee

OaklandFebruary, 2012

BACKGROUND

• Katie A. class action lawsuit filed in 2002, settled in U.S. District Court in 2011.

• Plaintiffs: Children and adolescents in the LA foster care system who alleged they were not given proper services by the child protective system and the mental health system in California.

• Original Defendants: Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS); the Director of DCFS; Director of the California Department of Health Services; and the Director of the California Department of Social Services.

Background (continued...)

• LA DCFS settled in 2003; terms finalized in 2008closed children’s shelter; instituted family-based wraparound services

for children with emotional disorders. Developed a core practice model (CPM)

• CDSS and CDHCS continued to appeal court findings. U.S. District Court approved a facilitated settlement in December, 2011, to be fully implemented by 2014. Defendants agreed to settlement without acknowledging fault, liability

ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES

Children/youth who are receiving full-scope Medi-Cal, meet medical necessity for treatment, have an open child welfare services case, and are either:

Currently in or being considered for: Wraparound, therapeutic foster care or other intensive services, therapeutic behavioral services, require a specialized care rate due to behavioral health needs or crisis stabilization/intervention;

 or Currently in or being considered for a group home, a

psychiatric hospital or 24 hour mental health treatment facility, or have experienced 3rd or more placement within 24 months due to behavioral health needs.

SETTLEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CDSS

AND CDHCS• Provide coordinated, comprehensive, community-

based services to children at risk of out-of-home-placement or in foster care and their families.

• Develop a Core Practice Model to be utilized by all

agencies or individuals who serve class members and their families.

• Counties will participate in the development and implementation of the Core Practice Model.

CORE PRACTICE MODEL

• A guiding framework for intensive care coordination, intensive home-based mental health services, therapeutic foster care, and the establishment of child and family teams.

• Adheres to a prescribed set of family centered values and principles that are driven by a definable process.

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

• Develop and disseminate a Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Documentation Manual to inform and instruct providers on two arrays of service: Intensive Care Coordination, and Intensive Mental Health Home Based Services, as well as evidence-based practices in Therapeutic Foster Care.

• Establish a shared management structure, develop a shared vision and mission statement, policy and program direction. These should have clear and consistent guidance and outcomes, and accountability measures consistent with CPM.

• Develop models for local agencies to work more effectively together.

• Assist in integration of departments and services.

CalSWEC and CFPIC ACTIVITIES

• CalSWEC and CDSS co-chair the Statewide Training and Education Committee (STEC). The settlement directs CDSS to initiate a request to STEC to develop a process and timeline for development of cross-system curriculum and training materials.

• CalSWEC Mental Health Program developed and disseminated a curriculum module on child welfare and mental health collaboration for MSW programs (2010).

• Team from CFPIC is working to identify best systems practices for child welfare-mental health collaboration.

DISCUSSION

• Questions and Clarifications?

• Opportunities for CalSWEC?

• Next steps?