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Illustration of a Systems of Care Approach

Monte is a 13-year-old boy in the child welfare system. His mother has a history of substance abuse and child neglect. Due to a shoplifting charge, Monte has recently become involved with the juvenile justice system as well.

Thanks to the systems of care approach in his community, local agencies and organizations partner with the family in a coordinated way to keep Monte in his home and help his family access services that address their strengths and needs:

• By arranging to meet Monte and his mother in their home at a time that does not conflict with the family's schedule, agency representatives are able to work in partnership with the family to ensure the goals of their individualized service plan can be met.
• By working with the school system, the care coordinator is able to arrange alternative busing for Monte during his stay in a temporary shelter, allowing him to continue at his current school.
• By working as a liaison with the juvenile justice and dependency court judges, a family advocate ensures Monte's family is able to adhere to multiple agency requirements and expectations.
• With support of flexible funding, Monte is able to attend music lessons, which he identified as an interest, while his mother participates in mandatory substance abuse counseling, reducing the need for childcare.

Updated on November 19, 2008