The System of Care Model

1. Child-centered and family focused, with the needs of the child and family dictating the types and mix of services provided. Requires meaningful and respectful partnership of both the family and the professional throughout the process of service delivery.

2. Community based, with the focus of services as well as management and decision-making with service responsibility resting at the community level

3. Culturally and linguistically Aligned with agencies, programs, and services that are responsive to the cultural, racial, religious, geographical, linguistically, socio economic, gender, cognitive and ethnic differences of the populations they serve (SAMHSA 2015). (See CLAS Standards)

4. Individualized, focusing on the strengths of the family while being equitable and community- based services/providers.

5. Interagency collaborative -engages children and their family with child and family serving agencies, including local, state, traditional, alternative and faith- based services.

6. Community based services including resources in the community and supporting the home and school with optimal support and care for children and their families.

7. Accessible Services for children and families are useful, tangible, meaningful, respectful of the needs, culture of the child and their family.

8. Economical/Accountable: Realistically, Financially and Effectively assessed outcomes in meeting the needs of children and families.

From: “Guide to Sound Business Practices for Family-Run Organizations in Children’s Mental Health”