Origins of SOC

Since the early 80s, there has been a call for reform in children's mental health across the country. In 1984 the federal government initiated the Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) to help states begin to address the systemic problems facing children's mental health. CASSP articulated core values which specify that services should be community-based, child centered and family focused, and culturally competent. The proposed reform called for comprehensive, community-based systems of services and supports, which became known as "systems of care". Missouri received a CASSP grant in 1989 which identified necessary components of a system of care and began to build interagency partnerships at both the state and local level. In 1992-1993 DMH piloted the 503 Project, an interagency system of care demonstration for children and youth with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) in St. Louis County. SOC incorporates and builds on this rich history.

How does SOC operate?

Children with the most challenging mental health issues, particularly those who are involved with multiple agencies, will have a local coordinated team of individuals that will work to meet with the family's needs for as long as is necessary. This team is referred to as the Family Support Team. Many such teams (though perhaps under different names) already exist for children with complex needs. In addition to the Family Support Team, a System of Care brings a Local System of Care Policy Group into plan. The Local SOC Policy Group's functions include reviewing and identifying policy (local and state) that may be creating a barrier to children getting their needs met. It is also responsible for contributing appropriate resources from its member agencies (for example, dollars or in-kind services), to assist in meeting the needs of a child being served in System of Care.

Who participates in a System of Care?

State Level Coordination

• Family Members
• Family-run Organizations
• Child Advocacy Organizations
• Department of Social Services (DDS)
  • Division of Youth Services (DYS)
  • Children's Division (CD)
  • Division of Medical Services (DMS)
• Courts and Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA)
• Department of Health and Senior Services
  • Division of Community and Public Health
• Department of Mental Health (DMH)
  • Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services (CPS)
  • Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADA)
  • Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD)
• Local Representation
  • Juvenile Court
  • Children's Division

Local Level Coordination

System of Care at the local level includes representatives from the aforementioned state agencies as well as a variety of individuals representing many different organizations and interests.