Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Services for Foster Children Bruce D. Friedman Barbara Reifel Cheri Linde Petra Gil-Vigie Anne Dancause-Twist Jennifer Thompson California State University, Bakersfield Tuesday, July 10, 2012 Joint International Conference of Social Work and Social Development

Objectives Present a community collaborative pilot project that addresses a need Identify factors related to the problem Identify solutions and steps taken Present potential models that work

Problem Mental health services to children in foster care was below 30% penetration rate Mental health services for children under 5 was 0% Barriers between Child Welfare System and Mental Health System Can the University play a role to resolve?

Collaborative Process University initiated Administrators from both Child Welfare and Mental Health Identified terminology barriers Designed a pilot study where SW Department will supervise cohort of students to provide mental health services to all 0 – 5 year olds in foster care

Additional Barriers Identified Different IMS (CWS-CMS; Anasazi) Access to clientele – 0 – 5 logged in but end up in Emergency Foster Care – Time lag between entry and logged into system – 90 day court order for screening (not sufficient time)

Findings Monthly administrative meetings with decision makers Increased penetration rates 90 Days not sufficient, change to 120 days for initial assessment Need for cross training on both IMS Shared experiences between agency staff Theoretical practice differences between MSW and MFT

Conclusions and Next Steps University Dept. of SW facilitated change process Improved relationship between County agencies Continue the project – First year 4 students; second year 6 students; third year 5 students

For more information contact Bruce D. Friedman, PhD Professor Social Work California State University, Bakersfield 9001 Stockdale Highway Bakersfield, CA