The purpose of the System of Care Steering Committee is to align and integrate the missions of all constituency groups to
maximize services to children and youth with mental health needs, consistent with System of Care values.
CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SYSTEM OF CARE COUNCIL
MINUTES
March 13, 2006
Members/Alternates Present: Tom Alexander, Mike Brogan, Lisa Carroll, Shirley Culver, Carlos Flores, Marty Giffin, Philip Hanger,
Mary Harris, Carmelo Isales, Elizabeth Jacques, Bill James, Donna Marto, Liz Marucheau, Danya Monteleon, Connie Moreno-Peraza,
Roseanne Myers, Bettie Reinhart, Carol Skiljan, Kathy Smith-Brooks, Laura Speigel, Debbie Stolz, Roni Sustal, Delrena Swaggerty,
Henry Tarke, Karen Zappone
Staff Present: Alfredo Aguirre
Item Discussion Action
1. Introduction Co-Chairperson Mike Brogan called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Info Only
Members and guests introduced themselves and were welcomed.
2. Approval of Minutes It was M/S and carried to approve the minutes of February 13, 2006 Info Only
with the following correction: Margaret Iwanaga-Penrose was present
at the meeting.
3. Recognition Award for Rene Santiago was recognized and presented with a plaque from the Info Only
Rene Santiago Council in recognition for his continued support and leadership in
advancing the children’s system of care.
4. Public Input No Public Input Info Only
5. Mission Statement “The purpose of the System of Care Steering Committee is to align and Info Only
integrate the missions of all constituency groups to maximize services to
children and youth with mental health needs, consistent with System of
Care values.”
6. Special Presentation
A. Fred Finch Project (T. Fred Finch Youth Center in San Diego is a collaborative project Info Only
Alexander and C. Flores) between Children's Mental Health, San Diego Regional Center, Child
Welfare, FFYC and the East County SELPA. The program serves dual
diagnosed adolescents who have both a developmental disability and a
serious emotional disturbance. Clients served are both consumers of
Regional Center and are in need of mental health services. The program
is an RCL 14 residential program with an on-site non public school.
The program is a long term program with anticipated lengths of stay to
be around two to three years. The program was originally conceived by
FFYC in Oakland in 1997. FFYC was invited to San Diego by San
Diego Regional Center with the Regional Center providing support for
the initiation of the program. The program opened in September of
2004 and is currently serving 13 clients out of a capacity for 14 clients.
Carlos Flores, San Diego Regional Center indicates that the program is
important because there is a recognition that some children fall under
both the responsibility of Children's Mental Health and Regional Center
and the two agencies have worked collaboratively to support and
nurture the program.
Mike Brogan, South County SELPA Director indicated that this
program fills a need from the educational perspective as well.
Tom Alexander presented a fact sheet on the other programs that Fred
Finch Youth Center offers in other parts of California. (copies
distributed)
7. Action Item
A. Review of Membership Info Only
Roster (R. Santiago)
a) Recommendation to Recommendation to add First Five Commission slot to Council –
Add First Five unanimously approved.
CMHS SYSTEM OF CARE COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 2
March 2006
Item Discussion Action
Commission Slot
b) Recommendation to Recommendation to replace Regional General Manager slot with
move Regional General Family/Youth sector slot. Approved with one opposed.
Manager Slot to
Family/Youth Sector
c) Recommendation to
Recommendation to create a “Serving All Sectors” category on the
move Wraparound
roster and move the Wraparound Constituency there instead of having it
Constituency to Private
under the “Family and Youth sector.” Approved
Sector
B. Approval of Bylaws The final version of the Bylaws was distributed. Bylaws approved. Info Only
(R. Santiago)
8. Committee Reports
A. Monthly Committee Reports
a) Super Outcomes Committee Provided written update per SOCSC Chairs’ request. Super Outcomes Info Only
(P. Hanger/L. Carroll) have 2 goals:
Explore need/feasibility/best practice of treatment program targeting
children with sexual behavioral problems.
Elicit goals with measurable indicators from each of the 4 system of
care sectors
b) Executive Committee (M. The Executive Committee is responsible for preparing the agenda and Info Only
Brogan/R. Santiago) follow up on items/issues forwarded by the CSOC Council.
c) Family/Youth Partnership Provided written update per SOCSC Chairs’ request. Next meeting is Info Only
Committee (D. Marto/S. March 29th, at 10:00 am at the 2351 Cardinal Lane, San Diego.
Culver)
d) Integration Committee (M. The group is working on the Retreat’s work plan and to how Info Only
Giffin/R. Myers) operationalize the task and to make sure they are the right track with the
Council. They will report back to the Council.
9. Program Highlights
Families Forward Delrena Swaggerty, Program Manager of Families Forward, presented the Info Only
(D. Swaggerty) following demographics on the program:
Services are provided for up to 240 severely emotionally disturbed
children, youth, and families using the Wraparound approach.
Services are regionalized across San Diego County and include
individual, family and group therapy, intensive case management
services, medication management, and educational support.
Common referral sources include CWS, AB 2726, and Probation.
Funding is largely Medi-Cal with some SB163 funds available for non-
Medi-Cal children/youth.
Goals include preventing child/youth from higher level placement or
assisting with transitioning child/youth to a lower level of care.
Treatment model includes the incorporation of evidence-based practice
– Motivational Interviewing.
Program has met monthly outcomes since beginning of contract of
avoiding higher level placement, decreasing hospitalization, and
decreasing felony and misdemeanor arrests.
Currently piloting mentor project in North County in collaboration with
CA State San Marcos’ Psychology Department.
Intense outreach efforts in place with CWS, AB 2726, Probation, local
providers, and county-wide communities to increase referrals.
CMHS SYSTEM OF CARE COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 3
March 2006
Item Discussion Action
Collaborative efforts include:
Co-facilitating the CSOC Conference with the CSOC Training
Academy and providers, Family and Youth; Facilitation of the Wrap
Fidelity Index Tool with CASRC, and the CSOC Training Academy
including presenting data at the upcoming CA Wrap Institute
Conference; Creation of the Mural Project in National City with family,
youth, and community members.
David Najera, Program Manager for the Family and Youth Support
Partnership component, Building Bridges Together, defined role of
Family and Youth Support Partners; Highlighted the Information and
Referral Line and described free monthly community presentations on
topics that families request. Introduced new monthly parenting
newsletter entitled “Building Bridges to Parenting.”
Family member, Jackie Johnson, shared her experience with Families
Forward and the progress she and her daughter have made as well as her
gratitude for the members of her Wraparound Team and the
individualized and flexible care they have provided her family.
10. Sector Reports
A. Monthly Sector Reports
a) Education (Brogan) The committee meets on March 28th, 3255 Camino del Rio So, Bonita Info Only
Rm. They are looking at outcome measures to check if those measures
are still applicable today.
b) Family/Youth (Marto) Provided written update per SOCSC Chairs’ request. The Family Info Only
Leadership workshop had 20 family members that attended the training.
c) Private (Chapman) Providers are responding to MHSA RFPs. Info Only
Providers are participating in Behavioral Health meetings. They are
requesting clarification on dates/times, intent, purpose and who should
be attending so they could assign representation.
Issues on responding to increase in costs of doing business.
Concerns about the BH screening tools, its validity and cultural
applicability.
B. Public (Aguirre) AB2726: This is still a funding issue. Recommendation from the Info Only
Governor has it categorically funded.
a) MHSA Plan MHSA is proceeding in two tracts. MHS sent a team to Sacramento
last month to respond to questions. The state requested additional
information in an addendum.
Currently 3 counties were approved. Stanislaus, Los Angeles and
Placer County.
MHS have issued 17 RFPs for reprocurement of existing services and
b) RFP MHSA expanded services. Altogether there are 35 RFPs for new or
reprocured services that will include MHSA funds. (List of the current
RFPs distributed)
11. Announcements Announcement flyer for the recruitment of a Behavioral Health Director Info Only
has been released. This will integrate Alcohol and Drugs Services and
Mental Health Services.
California Walk for Recovery, March 26, 2006, Balboa Park, starts at
8:00 am. For Info call MHS, Inc at 858-573-2600
NAMI Walks for the Mind of America, Saturday, April 15th in Balboa
Park (Quince & Adams). For info call Jim Starek at 619-584-5564 ext.
115, email address: www.namisandiego.org.
CMHS SYSTEM OF CARE COUNCIL MINUTES
Page 4
March 2006
Item Discussion Action
Child Abuse Prevention Month Forum, Tuesday, April 4, 2006, 8:30 am
to 12:00 pm at the Marina Village Conf Center, Captain’s Room, 1936
Quivira Way, San Diego. Sponsored by: SDCCCYF and Chadwick
Center at Children’s Hospital. Featuring: Vincent Felitti, M.D. CEU’s
are offered with no charge. For more info call the Commission Office
at 858-514-4660.
The First 5 Commission has an RFP specific on Parent Target
Population. Look for that on BuyNet at the end of March early April.
MH workgroup is working on informing the public that May is Mental
Health Month.
CSOC council should do more outreach with the news media. Issue to
be discussed at CSOC Executive Council Meeting.
12. Next meeting date Next CMHSOC Council Meeting, Monday, April 10, 2006, 9:00 am – Info Only
11:00 am at the ADS/MHS Bldg., 3255 Camino del Rio South, La Jolla
Room.
Next CMHSOC Executive Council Meeting, Wednesday, March 22,
2006, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the ADS/MHS Bldg., 3255 Camino del Rio
South, Del Mar Room.