Children's System of Care Hudson County Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council (CIACC) plans and advises the county and New Jersey Department of Children and Families Children's System of Care regarding children, youth and young adults with serious emotional, behavioral, mental and intellectual developmental challenges to maintain our children at home, in school, and in the community.

Current System of Screening Students Children's System of Care Current System of Screening Students Youth presents with behavior Youth screened immediately at PES threats Youth suspended until screened at PES danger to self danger to others Benefits: Drawbacks: Benefits: Drawbacks: Screened for safety Screened for safety Referral to services Referral to services Undue burden on family Undue burden on family Long wait Changes youth’s school experience Inappropriate environment Lost time in school High cost Screened long after event Intense reaction to situation Punishes youth for BH issues Current System of Screening Students

Proposed Model to Screen Youth in Schools Children's System of Care Proposed Model to Screen Youth in Schools Youth presents with behavior threat to self or others mood change change in functioning Response determined by age and risk factors Regardless of age, youth at high risk for harming self or others referred to PES Proposed Model to Screen Students

Children's System of Care In 2014, a C.I.A.C.C. subcommittee was formed to examine school response to non-life threatening crisis incidents among students. It was determined that a number of Hudson County school districts use the emergency room frequently during these situations, particularly to receive “clearance” or documentation indicating that a student may safely return to school.    

Children's System of Care If student has harmed him/herself or others call the parent and 911. This type of situation will require psychiatric assessment and in some cases, hospitalization. If possible, the parent accompanying the child to the hospital should be provided with a general consent form (sample included) to complete so that the hospital may collect relevant information from the school, if necessary.

Children's System of Care The Hudson County CIACC School Crisis Response Subcommittee suggests that schools consider the use of community-based resources in place of the ER in response to non-dangerous youth crisis scenarios. Utilizing the services outlined below can help prevent the negative consequences of a visit to the ER, including the exacerbation of a child’s already emotional vulnerable state and unnecessary financial burden to the school district. Children’s System of Care

Service Pathways Appropriate for Youth Children's System of Care Scenario Service Pathways Appropriate for Youth Pediatrician Psychiatrist JCMC Mobile Crisis CSA Private BH Provider MRSS Step 1: Identify Concern

Scenario Youth needs services Children's System of Care Scenario Youth needs services and and/or suggest that youth may be at risk of significant emotional distress or of causing harm to self or others Youth’s behavior within the last 3 months or less Youth’s disclosure of information The disruption in youth’s behavior has consistently interfered with Youth’s ability to learn and has affected Youth’s relationships with peers and/or staff

Children's System of Care Adding community-based resources to existing plans will help to ensure that immediate needs for services are met quickly. Reducing delays in service delivery will diminish the unnecessary interruption of school attendance and eliminate the unintended effect of punishing youth and their families for behavioral health needs.

Mobile Response & Stabilization Services Children's System of Care Available Options PES Pediatrician Private BH Provider Psychiatrist CSA Information and Referral Community Assessment Mobile Response & Stabilization Services

Sample Documents BEST PRACTICE: PARENT NOTIFICATION LETTER Children's System of Care Sample Documents BEST PRACTICE: PARENT NOTIFICATION LETTER BEST PRACTICE: RE-ADMISSION AUTHORIZATION BEST PRACTICE: GENERAL CONSENT FORM

Many high school-aged youth can participate in this discussion Children's System of Care After a concern is identified at any level, the family and school personnel collaborate on an action plan Sit down with the family Develop an action plan Develop a plan for follow up Many high school-aged youth can participate in this discussion

Benefits of New Screening Model Children's System of Care Benefits of New Screening Model Reduces lost education time Ensures youth is linked to appropriate services Eliminates unintended effect of punishing youth for BH needs Components Necessary for Successful Implementation Working relationship between school and screening and service providers Working relationship with families Acceptance of new model to satisfy “zero tolerance” policies

Please feel free to contact the County Children's System of Care We look forward to partnering with you to meet the behavioral health needs of your students Please feel free to contact the County Children’s Inter Agency Coordinating Council Contact Person: Samantha Moore Phone Number: 201 369 5280 ext. 4241 E-mail Address: smoore@hcnj.us