Exhibit A J.K. Principles.pdf

EXHIBIT A

State of Arizona

Department of Child Safety

Office of Procurement

3003 N. Central St, 20th Fl.

Phoenix, AZ 85012

J.K. LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT (J.K. PRINCIPLES)

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Key Elements of JK Settlement:

Improvements contemplated by this Settlement Agreement emphasize partnering with families and children, interagency collaboration, and individualized services aimed at achieving meaningful outcomes for families and children.

Implementation of this Settlement Agreement will require initiatives to improve frontline practice enhance the capacity of private agencies to deliver needed services, promote collaboration among public agencies, and develop a quality management and improvement system focused on sound practice.

Defendants will make a good faith effort to engage other state agencies in supporting the improvements of the behavioral health system envisioned in this Settlement Agreement.

Services will be tailored to the child and family’ and provided in the most appropriate setting, in a timely fashion, and in accordance with best practices, while respecting the child’s and family’s cultural heritage.

Collaboration with others: When children have multi-agency, multi-system involvement, joint assessment is developed and jointly established behavioral health services plan is collaboratively implemented. Client-centered teams plan and deliver services. Each child’s team includes the child and parents and any foster parents, any individual Important in the child’s life who is invited to participate by the’ child or parents. The team also includes all other persons needed to develop an effective plan including, as appropriate, the child’s teacher, the child’s Child Protective Service and/or Division of Developmental Disabilities case worker, and the child’s probation officer. The team (a) develops a common assessment of the child’s and family’s strengths and needs, b) develops an individualized service plan, c) monitors implementation of the plan and d) makes adjustments in the plan if it is not succeeding.

Accessible services: Children have access to a comprehensive array of behavioral health services, sufficient to ensure that they receive’ the treatment they need. Case management is provided as needed. Behavioral health services are adapted or created when they are needed but not available.

Best practices: Behavioral health services are provided by competent individuals who are adequately trained and supervised. Behavioral health services are delivered in accordance with guidelines adopted by ADHS that incorporate evidence-based “best practices” Behavioral health service plans identify and appropriately address behavioral symptoms that are reactions to death of a family member, abuse or neglect, learning disorders, and other similar traumatic or frightening circumstances, substance abuse problems, the specialized behavioral health needs of children who are developmentally disabled, maladaptive sexual behavior, including abusive conduct and risky behavior, and the need for stability and the need to promote permanency in class members lives, especially class members in foster care. Behavioral health services are continuously evaluated and modified if ineffective in achieving desired outcomes.

Most appropriate setting: Children are provided behavioral health services in their home and community to the extent possible. Behavioral health services are provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the child’s needs When provided in a residential setting, the setting is the most integrated and most home like setting that is appropriate to the child’s needs.

EXHIBIT A

State of Arizona

Department of Child Safety

Office of Procurement

3003 N. Central St, 20th Fl.

Phoenix, AZ 85012

J.K. LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT (J.K. PRINCIPLES)

- 2 –

Timeliness: Children identified as needing behavioral health services are assessed and served promptly.

Services tailored to the child and family: The unique strengths and needs of children and their families dictate the type, mix, and intensity of behavioral health services provided. Parents and children are encouraged and assisted to articulate their own strengths and needs, the goals they are seeking, and what services they think are required to meet these goals.

Behavioral health service plans anticipate and appropriately plan for transitions in children’s lives, including transitions to new schools and new placements, and transitions to adult services.

Respect for the child and families and unique cultural heritage: Behavioral health services are provided in a manner that respects the cultural tradition and heritage of the child and family.

Services are provided in Spanish to children and parents whose primary language is Spanish.

Defendants shall develop and implement a statewide training program focusing on collaboration, assessment, service, planning and implementation, and on maximizing the use of monies for Title XIX services in the context of managed care.

Defendants shall identify persons to be trained and a training schedule. Initial priority shall be given to the training of people designated to “train the trainers” and to agencies and personnel involved in planning or delivery of behavioral health services for the 300 Kids Project and other multi-agency children.

If Defendants determine that covering additional services is required to operate the behavioral health system in accordance with the Principles:

1. Defendants will add the services to the state’s Title XIX plan, if prior approval by HCFA is not required, and If HCFA approval is required, Defendants will expeditiously seek I such approval from HCFA and, as soon as permitted by HCFA, add *the services to the state’s Title XIX plan.

2. If increased state matching funding is necessary in order to add an additional Title XIX service to the state plan, the Defendants will seek the necessary funding.

Using information gained from the 300 Kids Project, the Training Program, and the Quality Management and Improvement System; Defendants will develop a plan for the expansion of substance abuse treatment services as part of its first Annual Action Plan.

Defendants will encourage active, involvement of class members and their families, community stakeholders, RBHAs, DES, DCS and the Administrative Office of the Courts and private providers in planning and evaluation activities related to implementation of this Settlement Agreement.