For children supervised by DFCS, social workers make referrals for System of Care services.

System of Care is an in-home based therapeutic service.

Generally, referrals fall into two categories:

1. Maintaining a child in his/her home.
   • These referrals are typically made by Emergency Response or Dependent Intake social workers.
2. Stabilizing a child's placement.
   • SOC service provides work with foster parents, relatives and non-relative extended family members, as well as parents.
   
   

Presenting problems may include:

• Substance abuse
• Family conflict
• Emotional distress
• Behavioral issues
• Gang involvement
• Sexual perpetrator
• Sexual abuse victim

Social workers may refer a child for services through SOC when:

• The child resides:
  • With parents
  • In foster home care
  • With relative or non-relative extended family members

     

• The child demonstrates a need for therapeutic services.
  • No DSM-IVR diagnosis is necessary at the initial referral, however, a mental health diagnosis must be made before services can begin.

     

• In-home services are best suited for the family, and it would be difficult for the family to access out patient services.

• The child is covered under Medical.

• The child resides in Santa Clara County.
  • On occasion, a provider may be willing to provide services in another county.  The SOC Coordinator may be consulted for this information.

Children are not eligible to receive System of Care services if they are:

• Not covered by Medical.
• Placed in Foster Family Agency (FFA) homes or group homes/Community Care Facilities that are required to provide mental health services.
• Placed in out-of-county homes.

Further, children receiving Wraparound services should only be referred for System of Care services if SOC is being used as a step down, i.e. least restrictive, service.

Treatment services include:

• Individual/family counseling offered in-home or at other sites as appropriate
• Medication support services
• Community referrals, as needed

To refer a child and/or family to System of Care, the:

• Social Worker:
  • Completes a System of Care Mental Health Referral Form (SOCMHRF)
    • The worker may telephone the SOC Coordinator to discuss the referral prior to completing the form.
      • Tel: (408) 558-5464
  • Faxes the form to Steven Schmitt, SOC Coordinator.
    • Fax: (408) 558-5571
    
    

• SOC Coordinator:
  • Selects a provider from the list of providers.
  • Sends the referral to the provider to refer the individual for services.

• Service Provider:
  • Sends a response to the social worker, usually via fax, to confirm services.
    • Social workers should receive a response from the provider within a week of the initial request. 

After a service provider is selected to work with the child and family and before services can begin, the social worker must send to the provider both the:

• Consent for Mental Health Treatment (SCZ 243) signed by a parent.
  • Social workers must make reasonable efforts to secure a parent's signature on the Consent for Mental Health Treatment.
    
    
• Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information (release of information) signed by a parent.

Social workers must make reasonable efforts to secure a parent's signature on the on both forms.  If unable to obtain signatures from the parent, a Court order authorizing treatment and release of information is required.

Systems of Care services are offered by seven community-based organizations, which include:

• Eastfield Ming Quong (EMQ)
• Gardner Family Care Corporation (Centro de Bienestar)
• Community Solutions
• Ujima Adult and Family Services
• Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
• Starlight

Louise Hill, LCSW
Phone: (408) 885-3219
Fax: (408) 885-5789
Email: Louise.hill@hhs.sccgov.org