Library: Policy
340:75-16-46. Systems of care
Revised 9-15-16
(a) Systems of care is a framework through Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services per Section 5-521 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes and offers a comprehensive array of behavioral health and other support services organized into a coordinated network to meet the multiple and changing needs of children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Counties are selected based on an evaluation of community readiness and the intensity of children's behavioral health needs within a community.
(b) Systems of care is individualized to each child, family, and community, and includes services that are:
(1) child-centered;
(2) family-focused;
(3) needs-driven;
(4) strengths-based; and
(5) based on a national best practice model.
(c) The core aspects of systems of care are:
(1) partnerships with families;
(2) collaboration with all child-serving agencies; and
(3) local control of services enhanced through:
(A) the wraparound service philosophy;
(B) flexible funds;
(C) respite care;
(D) case management; and
(E) transitional services.
(d) Expected outcomes of systems of care are:
(1) an improved level of functioning;
(2) improved school attendance and performance;
(3) fewer encounters with the juvenile justice system;
(4) a reduced number of out-of-home placements; and
(5) parent and child satisfaction. • 1
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-16-46
Revised 8-15-17
1. Referral for systems of care (SOC). A child and his or her resource family may need additional supports, such as wraparound service coordination or community support, when a child steps down from a higher level of care and enters a lower level of care. The child welfare (CW) specialist:
(1) makes an SOC referral when a child's transition planning team recommends an SOC referral is needed:
(A) following a child's discharge from an inpatient facility, a group home setting, or from therapeutic foster care; and
(B) because a child exhibits behavioral health needs that impact the stability of the child's placement;
(2) completes the referral form on the local SOC site; and
(3) attends all meetings conducted by SOC staff that impact children and families on their caseload.
2. SOC communities. A listing of SOC communities by county is available on the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services website.
3.Child Welfare Services participation in SOC. The district director or CW staff designee participates as a member with the county SOC coalition. CW staff:
(1) attends local, steering committee meetings to develop and monitor the SOC program within the county;
(2) participates on the committee that reviews all SOC referrals to determine if needs assessments and treatment plans for children and families are appropriate; and
(3) attends meetings and training for wraparound services and provides referrals of clients to SOC.
