Project Grant H79SM087722

MCLEAN COUNTY SYSTEM OF CARE EXPANSION AND SUSTAINABILITY GRANT FOR YOUTH - THE MCLEAN COUNTY SYSTEM OF CARE (MC SOC) PROJECT WILL EXPAND AND SUSTAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE DELIVERY TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE (SED) AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI) AGED 0 TO 21 AND THEIR FAMILIES. BY EXTENDING PARTNERSHIPS AND WITH CHILD-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, THE PROJECT AIMS TO CREATE AN INTEGRATED, HOLISTIC SYSTEM OF CARE THAT ENSURES THAT ALL YOUTH ENTER ADULTHOOD HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND PRODUCTIVE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE 4-YEAR GRANT, THE MC SOC EXPECTS TO REACH 430 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS WHO ARE LIVING IN MCLEAN COUNTY. THE MC SOC CENTERS ACTIVITIES ON SIX GOALS. THESE GOALS INCLUDE: (1) ENHANCING AND SUSTAINING COORDINATION BETWEEN MCLEAN COUNTY'S CHILD-SERVING AGENCIES AND CREATING AND SUPPORTING AN SOC TEAM TO OVERSEE A CONTINUUM OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN/YOUTH AGED 0 TO 21; (2) DECREASE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISES AND THE NEED FOR MORE RESTRICTIVE CARE BY INCREASING MCLEAN COUNTY'S CAPACITY TO PROVIDE CARE COORDINATION/WRAPAROUND SERVICE TO UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS AGED 6 TO 21 WITH SED/SMI; (3) IMPROVE CLINICAL OUTCOMES BY INCREASING CAPACITY TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE STABILIZATION AND INTENSIVE HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES; (4) IMPROVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS' ABILITY TO IDENTIFY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES BY PROMOTING THE ADOPTION OF A UNIVERSAL SCREENER, (5) INCREASING FAMILY AND YOUTH VOICE AND ADVOCACY BY STRENGTHENING INVOLVEMENT IN THE SYSTEM OF CARE; (6) INCREASE ACCESS TO IN-PERSON AND TELEHEALTH PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH SED/SMI. THE MCLEAN COUNTY SYSTEM OF CARE PROJECT WILL PURSUE THESE GOALS THROUGH THE CREATION OF A SOC TEAM SUPPORTED BY THE PROJECT DIRECTOR, WHICH WILL OVERSEE THE PROJECT, PARTNERSHIPS WITH PROVIDERS AND SCHOOLS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. CARE COORDINATION, WRAPAROUND, AND INTENSIVE HOME, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES, WILL BE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH SED AND SMI. UNIVERSAL SCREENING SUPPORTED THROUGH THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION #17 WILL ALLOW EARLIER IDENTIFICATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS. A LEAD FAMILY COORDINATOR WILL SUPPORT YOUTH AND PARENT PARTICIPATION IN A FAMILY AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IN ADDITION, A PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE (PMH-APRN) WILL BE HIRED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES INCLUDING MEDICATION MONITORING.