Committee Agenda Date :June 7. 2006

County of Santa Clara
Social Services Agency
Department of Family and Children's Services

CSFC SSAOl 060706

Prepared by: Randy Parker
Social Work Supervisor

Reviewed by: Norma Doctor Sparks
Director, Department ofFamily
and Children's Services

DATE:

June 7, 2006

TO:

Supervisor James T. Beall, Jr., Chaiiperson
Supervisor Don Gage, Vice-Chairperson
Children, Seniors & Families Committee

FROM:

Will Lightboume

Agency Director, Social Services Agency
SUBJECT: Children’s Shelter Reuse Status Update

RRCOMMENDED ACTION

Accept this Children's Shelter Reuse Status Update.
FTSCAL TMPLTCATTQJjS

There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.

Board of Superasors: Donald F. Gage. Blanca Alvarado. Pete McHugh.Jim Beall, LizKniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.

1

Committee Agenda Date ;June 7, 2006

CONTRACT HISTORY

No applicable.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

The Children, Seniors and Family Committee(CSFC)requested this update on the status of
the Mental Health and Educational Pilot Programs that are funded by the County and operate
on

the grounds of the Children Shelter. CSFC directed staff to prepare a matrix that displays

the number of children served and the type of services received at the Children’s Shelter
before and after the implementation of the Children's Shelter pilot programs.
BACKGROUND

Cottage facilities at the Children's Shelter became available over the past several years as the
average daily child population plunged from 107 in CYOl to 30 CY05. After receiving
community input about the use of vacant facilities, 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 in January 2005. The target population for the
Pilot Programs is children ages 6-11 years, newly admitted into protective custody,for whom
a DFCS service case is subsequently opened. Most of these children are placed with relatives
or in temporary foster care following being taken into temporary custody. Some children
involved in the Pilot Programs are released back to parents and receive services in the
community or from DFCS.

All children taken into initial protective custody, admitted to the Shelter and continuing to
reside at the Shelter receive a core set of basic services that includes a mental health screening
assessment to identify crisis issues, crisis counseling (if necessary), a physical health
examination, schooling at their home school or the Shelter's school, and substance abuse

treatment (if necessary). In calendar year 2004, there were 254 children ages 6-11 years taken
into protective custody and admitted to the Shelter as compared with 270 children in calendar
year 2005.

Since January 2005,the Pilot Programs have provided additional mental health and

educational services. Because these services were not available until the Pilot Programs

began, it is not possible to prepare a matrix displaying the number of children receiving these
services before implementation of the Pilot Programs.

Board of Supervisors: Donald F, Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
Count/ Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.

2

Committee Agenda Date June 7, 2006

Between the start of the Pilot Program on January 12, 2005 and through March 31, 2006, a
total of 339 children were eligible to participate in the Pilot Programs. An Additional 20

children who were already Dependent Children of the Court and therefore did not meet the
Pilot Program criteria, were referred by their social workers and participated in the
Educational Program's "Success Camp."

Ofthe 339 eligible children, 107 were home and received Voluntary Family Maintenance
Services and 232 were adjudged Dependent Children and received court-ordered services.(It
should be noted that the Mental Health Department is serving more children in Voluntary

Family Maintenance Cases than in the past.) Forty-three (43) children or about 13% of
eligible children resided in South County.
The Mental Health Pilot Program

The Mental Health Pilot Program is 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. Mental Health staff continue to work with the child until the
gathers and analyzes
community provider picks up the case. The Mental Health Department
health
services
and satisfaction
performance measurement data related to access to mental
with services.

The tables in Attachment A provide data about children eligible to participate in the Mental

Health Pilot Program over approximately a 14 % month period between January 12 2005 and
March 31, 2006. Approximately 80% of children received a mental health assessment, and of
those children, approximately 91% met the "medical necessity" criteria for continued mental

health services. Of those children needing continued mental health services, 99% were
referred to mental health services in the community or were pending referral. Approximately
91% of children referred to community—based mental health services entered therapy by

March 31, 2006, with a median average time from date of removal to first appointment of 23
placement caregivers responding to
days. Approximately 97% of parents and out-of-homehealth
services the children received.
the satisfaction survey were satisfied with the mental

Approximately 76% of social workers "Strongly Agreed" or "Agreed" that the Mental Health

Pilot Project had been beneficial to the child.
Board of Supewisors: Donald F, Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh.Jim Beall, LizKniss
County Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.

3

Committee Agenda Date June 7, 2006

Ofthe 339 eligible children, 262 were members of sibling groups. Siblings of children who
were eligible for the Pilot Program were also served by the Mental Health Department in

regards to referral for assessment and treatment. Data for these siblings is not included in this
report.
The Educational Pilot Program

The Educational Pilot Program is a DFCS-County Office of Education collaboration designed

to provide individualized assistance to improved children's academic and social adjustment in
school through a 5-day program called "Success Camp." During the first day of Success

Camp,teachers prepare by studying the specific needs of each participating child. Over the
following three days, children attend a literacy-based program that includes interactive
instruction and play. On the 5th day, teachers follow-up on planning with the child, caregiver
and the child's teacher in the home school.

Success Camp focuses on building success through resiliency, organization and literacy; and

preventing problems through social skill instruction. The research—based curriculum results in
instructional procedures and reinforcements that maintain positive behaviors both inside and
outside ofthe classroom, and include: classroom routines and survival skills, and instruction
dealing with feelings, alternatives to
through interactive play to teach skill in making friends,Performance
measures related to
aggression, conflict resolution and stress management.
resiliency skills and client satisfaction are gathered and analyzed by the County Office of
Edueation.

The tables in Attachment B provide data about children eligible to participate in the

Educational Pilot Programs "Success Camp" over approximately a 14 Vz month period

between January 12 2005 and March 31, 2006. As of March 31, 2006, 35 children who had
process of being scheduled for Success
recently been taken into temporary custody were in the
the
tables in Attachment B. A total of 155
Camp. Data about these children are not included in scheduled
or will be scheduled to
children completed Success Camp and another 71 were
with the most prominent reason
participate in the near future. Another 98 did not participate,
total of29 children did not attend because

being that the child moved out of the area(38%). A
involving the child(15 children), the
either the parent or out-of-home caregiver declined
s social worker determined that partieipation
child refused to attend (10 children), or the ehild
was

inappropriate for the child(4 children).

Board ofSupemsors: Donald F, Gage, Blanca Alvarado. Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.

Committee Agenda Date June 7, 2006

Children, parents, out-of-home caregivers and social workers were surveyed. The children
were visited at their home schools. All 109 children surveyed reported enjoying Success

Camp. Ninety-six percent(96%)ofthese children reported that they had used Success Camp
materials (e.g.,journal, books, CD,etc.), and 69% said they had used the materials with their
parents or caregiver.

Ninety-seven percent(97%)of the 35 parents and caregivers who responded to the survey
reported that their child enjoyed Success Camp, and 86% of that number reported that their
child talked about experiences at Success Camp. Fifty—seven percent(57%)said that they
noted a positive difference in their child following Success Camp.
Of the 49 social workers who responded to the survey, a total of90% either "strongly agreed
or agreed" that Success Camp was beneficial to the child.
Ngxt Stops

Experiences over the first 14/2 months of the Pilot Programs have identified the following
program needs:

• Continued communication among DFCS, Mental Health and the Office of Education is
essential to ensure effective services.

• An improved data tracking system is needed. Some data may be lost in the current data
tracking system. The system should better track mental health service outcomes at 1-,
3- and 6-month intervals. Ultimately, if possible, measurements should include

indicators of Pilot Programs' impact on County System Improvement outcome goals to
reduce the number of multiple foster care placements and reduce the rate of re-entry
into foster care.

• Engage parents and out-of-home caregivers to improve their participation and support
for the Pilot Programs.

• Engage parents and out—of—home caregivers to improve their participation and support
for the Pilot Programs.

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.

5

Committee Agenda Date :June 7, 2006

• Engage parents and out-of-home caregivers to improve their participation and support
for the Pilot Programs.

• Treatment consent forms must be promptly obtained and processed by well-trained
DECS social workers to ensure timely Mental Health Services.

• Continue to improve timeliness ofinvolvement of community—based mental health
service providers.

• Transportation to get children to Success Camp needs to be continued.
• Transportation to get children to Success Camp needs to be continued.
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION

The Chldren, Seniors and Families Committee would not be inforaied about the status of the
Children's Shelter Reuse.

STEPS EOIT.OWING APPROVAL

The Clerk of the Board will follow the usual procedures for a report of this type.
ATTACHMENTS

• Attachment A
• Attachment B

Board of Supemsors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca .Alvarado, Pete tMlcHugh, Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
Count/ Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.

6

Attachment A

The Mental Health Pilot Program

Children Ages 6-11 Years

January 12, 2006 through March 31, 2006
Children Ages 6-11 Years Meeting Criteria for Participation in the
Mental Health Pilot Program

Number (Percent) of
Children

273(80%)
41 (12%)

Received Mental Health Status Assessment
Receiving Existing Mental Health Services

Moved Out of the Area before Mental Health Screening and Assessment
9(3%)
6(2%)

Pending Mental Health Screening and Assessment
Unavailable for Assessment

339

Total Number Meeting Criteria for Participation in Pilot Program
Children Assessed by the Mental Health Pilot Program
Who Met or Did Not Meet “Medical Necessity” Criteria

Number(Percent) of
Children

for Continued Mental Health Services
248(91%)
25(9%)

Met Medical Necessity Criteria for Continued Services
^
Did Not Meet Medical Necessity Criteria for Continued Services—

273*

Total Number Assessed

Referral Outcomes for Children Assessed by the Mental
Health Pilot Program as Meeting Medical Necessity Criteria
Referred to Community Based Mental Health Providers —___

Referred to Private Mental Health Providers (e.g. , funded by Victim

Witness)

—

Awaiting Placement to Determine Where to Refer Child
Parent Refused Mental Health Services for Child

_—

Number(Percent) of
Children

166(61%)

72(26%)
6(2%)

4(1%)
273*

I Total Number Assessed
Number(Percent) of

Children Completing First Appointment with

Children

Community-Based Mental Health Provider*

151 (91%)

Cnmoleted First Therapy Session with Providex
pending First Therapy Session with Provider
Total

—

Number Referred to Community-Based Mental Health Providers
Median Time Elapsed After Temporary Custody for:
Mental Health Assessment, Referral to Mental Health
Provider, and First Therapy Session

Median Average Time: Temporary Custody to Beginning Assesstme^
_—
Median Average Time; Beginning of Assessment to CBO Referral
First
Median Average Time: Referral to Community-Based Provider

Session

—

——

15(9%)
166

Time Elapsed
Jan. 05-Mar.06
2 days
17 days

23 days

Attachment A

Number (Percent) of

Follow-up Survey: Responses of the 127 Parents
and Caregivers Who Responded the Survey
Satisfied with Mental Health Services
Dissatisfied with Mental Health Services

Follow-up Survey: Responses of 49 Social
Workers Who Responded to the Survey

"Strongly Agreed’’ Mental Health Pilot Program Beneficial to the Child

"Agreed” Mental Health Pilot Program Beneficial to the Child
"Disagreed” Mental Health Pilot Program Beneficial to the Child

"Strongly Disagreed” Mental Health Pilot Program Beneficial to the Child
No Response to Question Regarding Benefit to the Child

Parents/Caregivers
Jan. 05 - Mar. 06

123(97%)
4(3%)

Number(Percent) of
Social Workers

19(39%)
18(37%)
6(12%)
1 (2%)
5(10%)

2

Attachment B

The Educational Pilot Program - Success Camp
Children Ages 6-11 Years

January 12, 2005 through March 31, 2006
Number(Percent)

Children Participating in Success Camp
Met Program Criteria and Participated

135(60%)*
■k*

Dependent Children Referred by Social Worker and Participated

12 (5%)
48 (21%)
11 (5%)

Caregiver/Social Worker Requested Participation be Postponed
Scheduled to Participate

Parents or Caregivers Requested Summer Success Camp

226

Total Participated/Pending Participation

* 155 children(69%)completed Success Camp as of March 31,2006

These 20 Dependent Children of the Juvenile Court were initially taken into protective custody and had
open cases

before the beginning of the Educational Pilot Program.
Number (Percent)

Children Not Participating in Success Camp
Moved Out of the Area Prior to Participating

37 (38%)
15(15%)

—

Parent/Caregiver Refused to Allow Child to Participate

10 (10%)

Child Refused to Participate

1 Rnr.ial Worker Determined Program Inappropriate for Child
Aged-Out of Program (turned age 12 years)

4 (4%)
10 (10%)

3 (3%)

Sign Language Interpreter Not Available*

__

"Severely Emotionally Disturbed’ (SEP) Special Needs
Autism Special Needs

2 (2%)

^

Participation Counter-Indicated - Previous Negative Experience at the

2 (2%)

Children Shelter

9 (9%)

^

—

—

DFCS Case Closed Before Attending Success Camp

Total Number Not Participating in Pilot Program

98

_—

* The Pilot Program is looking into bringing a Sign Language translator into classes
Number (Percent)

Follow-Up Visits and Surveys

109 (70% of 155 children
who completed Success

Children Visited at Home Schools for Follow-Up Survey
Parents

Camp

35 (unavailable)

and Out-of-Home Caregivers Who Participated in Survey

49 (unavailable)

Social Workers Who Participated in Survey

Number (Percent)

Children’s Response to Follow-Up Visit Survey

Reported Enjoying Their Experience at Success Camp

^

—_

Reported Using Success Camp Materials (e.g., journal, books, CD, etc^
Reported Using Success Camp Materials with Parent-Caregiver

109(100%)
105 (96%)
75 (69%)

Attachment B

Follow-up Survey: Responses of the 35 Parents

Number (Percent)

and Caregivers Who Responded the Survey
Reported the Child Said They Enjoyed Success Camp

Reported the Child Talked About Experiences at Success Camp
Reported Seeing a Positive Difference in the Child since Success Camp
Follow-up Survey: Responses of 49 Social

34(97%)
30(86%)
20(57%)

Number (Percent)

Workers Who Responded to the Survey

“Strongly Agreed” Success Camp Beneficial to the Child
“Agreed" Success Camp Beneficial to the Child
No Response to Question Regarding Benefit to the Child

23(47%)
21 (43%)
5(10%)

2