Training/Technical Assistance & Best Practices
Best Practice Summary: Transition Aged Youth ( TAY ) Team
Locality: Bedford County
Contact: CeCe Smith, CSA Coordinator
Phone Number: 540-586-7652, Ext. 1376
Email Address: c.smith@co.bedford.va.us
Description of Best Practice: The Bedford County Department of Youth & Family Services and Bedford Department of Social Services initiated its TAY Team two years ago due to the increasing number of youth with emotional/behavioral difficulties moving into adulthood and needing services beyond what the primary CSA stakeholders could offer. The function of the TAY Team is to assist older adolescents in identifying their vocational needs, as well as identifying providers and funding sources that can help with these needs both during the transition and upon reaching adulthood. The participating TAY membership includes: Department of Rehabilitative Services, Mental Retardation Program Manager-Central Virginia Community Services, Adult Services Supervisor-Bedford Department of Social Services, Special Education Manager–Bedford County Public Schools , Foster Care Coordinator–Bedford Department of Social Services and CSA Coordinator-Bedford County Department of Youth & Family Services. Additional agencies and providers are invited to participate as needed.
What have been the benefits and or results of the implementation? During Bedford County ’s planning they recognized the need to identify youth needing transitional services at an early stage, as young as 14 years of age, and to make every effort to include them in the planning process. Transitional services can be defined as those services necessary to prepare the adolescent for a successful move in to adulthood. A strength-based approached is used that includes natural supports in the youth’s life. The team strives to use services that are developmentally appropriate to allow the youth to pursue goals in all transition domains such as employment/career, education, living situation and community life functioning. One potential benefit to the adolescent includes increased self-esteem due to utilizing a strength-based approach. Another benefit includes the fact that additional agencies and providers beyond the Family Assessment and Planning Team are involved that are specifically focused on what the adolescent may need to reach and succeed in adulthood. A final benefit, due to the fact that the Community Services Board Mental Retardation Manager is a member of the team, is the ability of the team to keep track of adolescents eligible for the Medicaid Waiver, and when they might expect to receive funding slots from that particular waiver.
Estimated Savings: There have not yet been any significant costs savings to CSA. However, additional funding sources have been identified by the local Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and the local community services board. These sources include funding for adult services. The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation has assisted in making suggestions to help with SSI applications and the community services board has been beneficial as described above with applications to the Medicaid Waiver programs. The local Department of Social Services is also working on establishing adult foster care homes for those needing supportive living, using Auxiliary Grant funding.
Barriers to Overcome: Not specified.
Best Practice Summary: Private Day Special Education Facility in a Rural Locality
Locality: Essex, King and Queen Counties
Contact: Tim Reading
Phone Number: (804) 443-3561
Email Address: tmr097@central.dss.state.va.us
Description of Best Practice: The establishment of a Private Day Special Education Academy was initiated by the CSA Coordinator for Essex, King and Queen Counties. CSA children were traveling long distances (some over one hour) with the transportation costs as high as $150.00 per day per child. There was little “family work” being accomplished due to the time and distances involved with the children’s transportation to the out-of-locality private day schools.
What have been the benefits and or results of the implementation? In September 2003, “Bayside Academy” opened in Saluda, Virginia. Bayside Academy represents a private/public partnership working together to serve children in the community as well as cost effectiveness.
Estimated Savings: Information not available
Barriers to Overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Residential Specialized Services
Facility Opening in a Rural Locality
Locality: Highland County
Contact: Beth Armstrong
Phone Number: (540) 499-2062
Email Address: emtb77@intelos.net
Description of Best Practice: The Valley Community Services
Board plans to open a new six bed residence (Grandview)
for mentally retarded clients in fall 2003. The target population for
the Grandview Residential Program is young, mentally retarded
adults in need of an “out of home” setting. Grandview will be
a certified Medicaid program for the purposes of funding the residential services fee.
What have been the benefits and or results of the implementation? Mentally retarded clients from this rural area who cannot live alone or with their families now have a local residential
resource. Prior to this program, mentally retarded clients requiring
residential services utilized the Central Virginia Training Center in Amherst County since community-based residential services were not available. With the implementation of the Grandview residential program, young adults now have the option of a community-based residential program which allows them to be active members of their community rather than placed in an
institutional setting.
Estimated Savings: Information not available
Barriers to Overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Online Introduction to CSA
Locality: Fairfax County
Contact: Gail Ledford
Phone Number: (703) 324-7748
Email Address: Gail.ledford@fairfaxcounty.gov
Web site Address: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/csa/pt_hb.htm
Description of Best Practice: The Fairfax CSA website includes a brief introduction to the CSA, the CPMT’s mission, and a locally developed Parent Handbook. The Parent Handbook includes, an introduction, overview and history of CSA, who is eligible to receive services under CSA, which agencies participate in CSA, a description of the CSA process and what parents are to expect from CSA. Information on payment for services, contact information, procedures for emergency situations, and a listing for phone numbers is also available online. The handbook is in PDF format so it can be downloaded.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation? Parents searching for information on services for troubled youth have contacted Fairfax County CSA as a result of the information regarding eligibility and access to services. The information defines parents’ roles and responsibilities in the CSA process. Fairfax County does not count the "hits" to the Fairfax County CSA website at this time; however, this type of data may be collected in the future.
Estimated savings: None stated
Barriers to overcome: None stated
Best Practice Summary: Unmet Needs Study
Locality: Roanoke City
Contact: Natalie Webster
Phone Number: (540) 980-0131
Email Address: nataliewebster@ci.roanoke.va.us
Description of Best Practice: The City of Roanoke recently completed a study of unmet needs of CSA children. The need for the study was identified through long range planning by the Roanoke Interagency Council (RIC). The study occurred from March through September 2002 and assessments of needs will be ongoing. The study was an effort to begin to formally collect data and compile a data base to be used to identify needs with the goal of ensuring that services are available to match those needs.
What have been the benefits/results of the implementation? A total of 124 unmet needs were identified in 88 children assessed. An unmet needs Classification Table was developed. As a result of this survey, unmet needs are assessed every 6 months for every case served by CSA, and if unmet needs are identified, they are reported to the CPMT/RIC. A report is compiled and reported to the FAPT every 6 months.
Estimated savings: None stated
Barriers to overcome: None stated
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