Publications that address the systems of care concept and approach to service planning and provision, as well as publications that provide information on key aspects and components of systems of care.
A Closer Look
National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care
A series of reports summarizing the work of the nine grantee communities in the Improving Child Welfare Outcomes Through Systems of Care demonstration initiative.
Child Welfare League Finds Consensus on How Best to Integrate Systems of Care for Vulnerable Adolescents and Their Families: Grant Results
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2007)
Describes results of a grant initiative that brought together professionals and consumers from the mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems to develop a consensus about how to integrate those systems' services and apply best practices so that children and families receive better care.
Improving Child Welfare Outcomes Through Systems of Care: Building the Infrastructure: A Guide for Communities
Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care, Children's Bureau (HHS) (2007)
View Abstract and Document
Designed for communities developing and implementing systems of care, this guide outlines definitions, goals, activities, personnel, and expected outcomes for the fundamental components of the infrastructure needed to support systems of care.
Improving Child Welfare Outcomes Through Systems of Care: Systems of Care: Guide for Strategic Planning
Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care, Children's Bureau (HHS) (2007)
View Abstract and Document
Provides information and materials on procedures any community can use to support the planning and development process for designing a system of care.
Integrating Systems of Care: Improving Quality of Care for the Most Vulnerable Children and Families (PDF - 533 KB)
Child Welfare League of America (2006)
Outlines a detailed plan for systems-culture change across systems and identifies the steps needed to implement this approach at the national, State, and local level.
Louisiana's Coordinated System of Care (CSoC)
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
Describes the State's efforts to build a coordinated system of care and presents information on goals, values, population of focus, and documents from the oversight and planning process.
North Carolina System of Care Toolbox
North Carolina Child and Family Mental Health Services
Helps communities design and sustain a system of care approach to providing services to children and families. Resources address forming collaboratives, collaborating with families and youth, cultural competency, and building capacity through training and technical assistance.
Primer Hands On-Child Welfare: Training for Child Welfare Stakeholders in Building Systems of Care: A Skill Building Curriculum
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (2007)
A capacity enhancement curriculum to strengthen the knowledge base and skills of leaders involved in building systems of care. Addresses critical thinking, strategic frameworks for system building, and the elements of an effective system building process.
Service Array Materials and Tools
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement
Offers a process and a set of tools child welfare agencies can use, in conjunction with community collaboratives, to assess and enhance their service array.
Systemic Reform: Using the System of Care Approach (PDF - 178 KB)
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement
Child Welfare Matters, 2008
Explores the system of care approach, discusses steps to build these systems, and highlights resources and technical assistance that can help agencies move forward to improve their systems.
Theory of Change Logic Models: Tools for Sustaining Community Created Systems of Care
Department of Child and Family Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (2008)
Explains how theory-based frameworks can guide changes in services to children and families, and includes links to four systems of care communities using logic models.
Updating the System of Care Concept and Philosophy (PDF - 926 KB)
Stroul, Blau, & Friedman (2010)
Explains the system of care concept, how it has evolved, and how it can be updated. The paper also discusses strategies for using the system of care concept and improving implementation and evaluation.