York County Human Services - CASSP/FGDM Program

Child & Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) and
Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)

Purpose/Background:
The CASSP program serves both York and Adams Counties. CASSP co-coordinators are assigned to serve residents according to school districts.

CASSP was created in order to assist families with children to receive the services they need. Typically, children and families referred for CASSP services require improved coordination or are having difficulty accessing necessary service. CASSP staff receives training in facilitating the coordination of services for individual children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral difficulties and their families by providing information and referral, advocacy and facilitating interagency meetings.

CASSP serves as a source of information concerning the child serving systems (Children and Youth, Drug and Alcohol, Juvenile Probation, Mental Health-Mental Retardation and Special Education); supports efforts to coordinate services by improving communication between and among parents, providers, schools and public agencies.

The program also works to identify gaps and barriers in services for children and adolescents with emotional, mental health and/or behavior problems. Program staff also advocate for the need to expand existing services and work on an administrative and policy level to assist the public agencies in addressing these needs.

Services:
CASSP
The CASSP Coordinators are responsible for facilitating interagency meetings for children or adolescents who are involved in multiple service systems. It is the Coordinators’ responsibility to facilitate an interagency problem solving meeting(s), assist the team in developing a collaborative service plan, and follow up with the team members to ensure the plan is being implemented and giving a positive impact on the child’s functioning. The CASSP Release Information Form and the CASSP Referral Form must be completed and submitted prior to scheduling an interagency meeting. For assistance in completing the forms, please contact the staff members listed in the Contacts section.

Teams of supervisory personnel from Children and Youth, Mental Health/Mental Retardation, Drug and Alcohol, Juvenile Probation and Education meet monthly to address cross system issues of concern. The supervisory teams address cross training issues, monitor out of home placements, and make recommendations for policy or procedural changes to the CASSP Administrative Board.

FGDM
In addition to CASSP responsibilities, this position would dedicate time to the coordination and implementation of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) for consumers residing in local communities of York County. The FGDM practice and its core values emphasize engagement and a strengths-based approach to working with children and families. Currently, York County has implemented this practice on a limited basis for individuals involved with Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice public agencies. This effort prompts a shift in practice to a “grassroots” model that is a research based approach in the delivery of care to children and families which is consistent with the foundation for Integrated Children’s Service planning.

Child & Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) and
Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)