1. Mental Health Advocacy: A Team Approach Leticia Perez, M.S.W. Candidate Maire Mullaly, J.D., MPP Kevin Jervik, Ph.D

2. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative Background Proposal to the California Endowment

3. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative Objective 1 –Produce a mental health summit report to be disseminated. Participants of the Summit Local and State Key Stakeholders –http://www.clcla.org/Mental_Health_Summit_ Report_011707.pdfhttp://www.clcla.org/Mental_Health_Summit_ Report_011707.pdf

4. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative Objective 2 –Develop a minimum of three workgroups to implement policy recommendations. Capacity Building Workgroup Psychotropic Medication Workgroup Systemic Reform Policy Workgroup

5. Foster Youth Mental Health Initiative Objective 3 –Attorney support Develop a multi-disciplinary team to consult with CLC attorneys on mental health needs. Develop training materials that enhance staff’s ability to identify mental health problems. Advocate for evidence-based services to clients.

6. Original MHAT Model Program Director Clinician Mental Health Specialist

7. Expected Outcomes Improved coordination of mental health services for foster youth. Increased access to timely and appropriate mental health services. Improved training of staff to better identify needs.

8. Lessons Learned Introduction of Attorney Liaison Understanding attorney’s knowledge base and supporting their needs A team approach

9. Current MHAT Model Attorney Liaisons Psychologist Mental Health Specialist

10. Lessons Learned Myths regarding mental illness –Not a life sentence –Diagnosis in context of whole person –Axis II diagnosis –Process of change

11. Lessons Learned Privilege and Confidentiality –Secrecy surrounding mental illness – Balancing privacy with “need to know”

12. Lessons Learned Mental Health Services –Alternatives to residential care –Individual counseling is not the only effective intervention. –Therapists are people too. –If residential care is used, view it as treatment, not placement.

13. Lessons Learned Independent Assessments –Medi-care requires documentation of medical necessity. –Request existing assessments and treatment plans. –Expectations and Outcomes

14. Lessons Learned Legal Counsel and Advocacy –Attorneys have a duty to counsel their clients, as well as advocate for them. –Don’t be afraid to talk about mental health issues with clients. –Importance of client buy-in for own treatment plan

15. Trends in mental health advocacy Evidence-based practice –What is evidence based practice? –Current state of evidence-based practice –Information about evidence-based practice http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/ http://www.ffta.org/publications/EBPguideFinalWe b.pdfhttp://www.ffta.org/publications/EBPguideFinalWe b.pdf

16. Trends in mental-health advocacy Transitional-Age Youth with Mental Health Problems. –Development does not end at age 18. –Challenges faced by TAY youth with mental health needs Service Silos Service Chasms

17. Trends in mental health advocacy Special needs of TAY with mental health issues. –Continued mental health support/treatment –Vocational/Educational Development –Possible need of benefits (SSI, Medicaid) –Focus on strengths and individual needs –Integrated Care (e.g. ACT, SOC, TIP)

18. Trends in mental health advocacy Resources regarding TAY with mental health needs. –http://www.ncwd-youth.info/information-brief- 23http://www.ncwd-youth.info/information-brief- 23 –http://www.cimh.org/Services/Transition-Age- Youth.aspxhttp://www.cimh.org/Services/Transition-Age- Youth.aspx –http://cjjr.georgetown.edu/pdfs/TransitionPaper Final.pdfhttp://cjjr.georgetown.edu/pdfs/TransitionPaper Final.pdf

19. Trends in Mental Health Advocacy Dual Diagnosis Clients (Developmental Delay/Mental Health Needs) –Tendency toward either/or view –“Diagnostic Overshadowing” –Service Silos Intervention Services Education/Training –Evidence-based practice

20. Trends in Mental Health Advocacy Dual Diagnosis Clients –Resources http://www.thenadd.org/index.shtml http://www.bckidsmentalhealth.org/docs/Dual_Diag nosis_Guide.pdfhttp://www.bckidsmentalhealth.org/docs/Dual_Diag nosis_Guide.pdf http://www.nasddds.org/Resources/index.shtml

21. Overall trends in Mental Health Advocacy Early identification, prevention, and treatment Reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors Increasing client say and “buy-in” “Whole child” strength based attitude

22. Thank you for your time. Maire Mullaly, Attorney Liaison mulallym@clcla.org mulallym@clcla.org Leticia Perez, Mental Health Specialist, perezl@clcla.org perezl@clcla.org Kevin Jervik, Mental Health Clinician, jervikk@clcla.org jervikk@clcla.org