A NEW RESOURCE FOR RECONNECTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH COMPLEX
AND ENDURING NEEDS
Residentially
Based Services
The RBS Project
It started with a realizationBecame a conceptThen a frameworkThen a statute (AB 1453 – Soto)Now a demonstrationThree counties: Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Bernardino
One coalition: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara & Contra Costa
Over a dozen providersTwo years – maybe 400 children and their families
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
Who Will It Help?
Target population:Long-term group home placementLimited family & community connections
Few opportunities for permanencyDetails vary by county:
AgeSituationAcuity
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
How Will It Help Them?
Core service elements Immediate and Ongoing Intensive Family Engagement & Involvement
Short-term, Intensive Placement Interventions
Intensive, Individualized and Evidence-Based Treatment
Parallel Community Services during Placement Follow-up and Aftercare Supports & Services following Placement
Key service characteristics: Continuity, consistency & clarity of care
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
What are the Challenges?
The DetailsPaying for itManaging utilizationPutting the pieces togetherDealing with placement changesEducational connectionsExplaining RBS to our friends
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
How Will It Work?
New alternative:Enrollment in RBS vs. Placement in GH
Multiple designs for delivering the elements
Residential and community linkagesFlexible responseSeparate funding and regulatory criteria
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
What’s Different?
Residential just one part of an integrated array of options
Team stays with child and family through transitions
Multiple options for out of home care
Coordinated planningThe #1 goal is reconnection –
Helping children achieve positive, sustained and resilient family relationships
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
What Will It Be Like?
Less reactive, more proactiveUtilization management tied to needs and outcome achievement
Consistent core connectionsDeal with ups and downs as natural and expected occurrences
Family-centered care
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
How Will It Be Paid For?
No new state moneyJust flexible use of existing resources
Behavioral health services through existing pathways
How to get better outcomes for the same investment
Must be neutral as to state AFDC-FC over a two year span
County budget issues are a challenge
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
How Will They Access RBS?
The RBS system is a partnershipCounty utilization will be part of design
Capacity not only based on beds,But ongoing community support resources
Enrollment likely for about 2 years
Provider incentives based on progress
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
How Will RBS Be Tested?
Each site has different target populations and different structure – but similar service elements
A private firm, Harder and Company, will conduct the evaluation
A Family and Youth Advisory Committee and a State Oversight Committee will follow progress
Results will be part of a recommended state-wide legislative package
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
Will Other County Agencies be Affected?
Most youth and families have multiple system connections
The RBS team will provide an integrating forum
Won’t replace existing authority and responsibility
Workshops and training opportunities will be available for public and private agency staff who will be working with enrolled children and families
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09
What Have We Learned
Spiral planning:Funding drives servicesServices drive utilizationUtilization drives funding
Refine the messagePatience is a virtue – sometimesCommunicate on all channelsFamily and youth voice is critical
RBS Overview, 3/4/09The California RBS Project
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Project Timelines
March 1st: The demonstration sites deliver their plans to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for review
March 4th and 5th: RBS demonstration sites present their plans to the RBS Statewide Committee
March 6th – begin iterative review processMarch 30th: Final revisions to the plansJune 1st: CDSS completes review and issues authorization to initiate approved projects
May – July: Initial training for public and private staff who will participate in the RBS system, private agencies begin retooling their facilities and programs to deliver RBB
July – September: First children and families are enrolled
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The California RBS Project RBS Overview, 3/4/09