When average daily child population at the Children's Shelter plunged, cottage facilities became available for other uses. The Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) to launch a Mental Health Pilot Program and an Educational Pilot Program at the site. The target population for the Pilot Programs was children ages 6-11 years, newly admitted into protective custody, for whom a DFCS service case is subsequently opened. The Mental Health Pilot Program was a collaboration between DFCS and the Mental Health Department, Family and Children's Division that is designed to ensure that children receive a mental health status assessment in addition to the basic mental health screening assessment for crisis issues, and referral to community-based mental health service providers if ongoing counseling is deemed necessary.