BY BILL VALLADARES

Nearly 185,000 children and youth from birth to age 17 in Georgia have some form of Severe Emotional Disturbances (SED). These children, who are seriously disturbed as a result of abuse, neglect, or family disruptions, lack self-control, are defiant, have difficulty getting along with others, can be depressed or suicidal, are in and out of child services, have an impaired ability to learn, and low self-esteem.

Because children with multiple problems require services from multiple agencies, each treating one part of the syndrome in a separate case, they often slip through the cracks between compartmentalized providers into the deepest end of the system—residential care, hospitalization, and detention.

"There has to be a system of care to make things happen," said Suzan Bryceland of KidsNet Georgia System of Care. "We have got to come together, because we can't make decisions in isolation."

In 1999 the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, awarded Rockdale County a six-year grant to improve service delivery and outcomes for youth and their families through KidsNet Rockdale, a multi-agency effort to keep troubled kids out of institutions. Since that time, KidsNet Rockdale has decreased expenditures for costly out-of-home care by developing intensive community-based alternatives that allow youth to thrive in their home communities.

Juvenile judges Mark Murphy, John Worcester-Holland, Sandra Murphy, Velma Tilley, Timothy Pape, and Bryant Henry gather to support KidsNet.

"KidsNet has accomplished many things, but there are two areas I value most," said Sandra W. Miller, chief judge of the Paulding County Juvenile Court and KidsNet partner. "KidsNet calls attention to the needs of the local-level agencies, and KidsNet is committed to connecting every child that has a need to an agency that can fill that need."

KidsNet Rockdale was recognized as a Learning Center for the state and received additional funds in 2005 to expand the System of Care to communities that have demonstrated readiness for transformation. KidsNet Georgia is a targeted expansion of Rockdale County's successful effort to improve outcomes for youth with SED who are involved with multiple agencies. KidsNet focuses on providing community-based care where youth and families are viewed as essential partners working in collaboration with child-serving agencies.

"An agency should never be left alone to help a child in need," said Margaret Cawood, Dept. of Juvenile Justice district director. "It's a community child, a community problem."

KidsNet differs from other mental health services because it is directed by a program theory that outcomes are better for children, youth, and families when services are provided:

• in community-based, least restrictive environments;
  
  
• through interagency coordination and collaboration;
  
  
• in ways that are family-driven, youth-guided, and culturally appropriate.

Whenever a parent, school, or agency refers a child to KidsNet, a service coordinator sends a family advocate meet, assist, guide, and assess eligibility. The family is assigned a case manager, who stays on top of the plan and outcomes, and remains with the family beginning to end. That's when the KidsNet Team—case manager, family advocate, child and family members, and agencies and service providers—comes together. The team agrees upon a unified service plan, and a single, collaborative treatment plan. The entire team meets weekly to keep the plan on track and to evaluate progress.

"Family Connection is the link between the county and state level agencies," said Miller. "They will be able to identify and bring down any barriers that prevent us from achieving the best outcome for every child that needs services."

Prior to KidsNet, youth with SED were forced to pick a door, and every door led to a different place. KidsNet give them a single door through which to enter, and now one entity pulls the other entities together. The benefit to this plan is that all the right people are gathered around the same table with the same goals. Care is comprehensive, consistent, coordinated, and collaborative. The result is a unified service plan and case report that follows children wherever they go.

Evidence proves that System of Care is an effective approach. According to the results of a national study of 121 programs, including KidsNet Rockdale, negative indicators, including inpatient hospital days and rates, placement in juvenile detention and other secure facilities, arrests, and suicide-related behaviors declined. Positive indicators, including school attendance and achievement, child and adolescent functional assessment scale, sustained mental health improvements, and family stability—employment and living arrangements—increased.

Elaine DeCostanzo of the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget presents evidence that the System of Care is an effective approach.

All child-serving agencies in Georgia have embraced the System of Care approach, and the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Juvenile Justice have committed significant resources to the expansion of KidsNet. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, through its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), also has worked in partnership with KidsNet as a result of shared interest in child outcomes.

KidsNet Georgia Phase I expansion pilot sites are Newton, Chatham, Gwinnett, Douglas, and Fulton counties, and a seven-county collaborative in Northwest Georgia (Haralson, Polk, Floyd, Dade, Walker, Bartow, Paulding).

"The originators of KidsNet get it," said Miller. "They understand what a mental health system should look like at the local level, and the Northwest Region is proud to be a KidsNet partner."

For more information call Suzan Bryceland at 770-785-5910.

Read "Help Is Just a Phone Call Away."

Visit the KidsNet Georgia Web site.

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