The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67214

Sharon L. Telleen, PhD¹, Young O. Kim, DrPH¹, Helen Stewart-Nava, MSW², and Susan Maher, PhD³. (1) Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison Street (M/C 312), Chicago, IL 60607, (312)413-8391, telleen@uic.edu, (2) Fillmore Mental Health Center, Community Care Options, 5814 W. Cermak Road, Cicero, IL 60804, (3) Harvard University, 187 Kent Street #6, Brookline, MA 02446

Provision of community mental health services for children and youth is an integral component of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS). In Cicero, Illinois, on the western border of the city of Chicago, SS/HS serves two high schools and the 26 feeder elementary and middle schools. The school population is predominantly Latino, primarily recent Mexican immigrants. Each of the schools can refer students for community-based intensive wraparound case management services. Children receiving services are at-risk for aggressive and/or violent behaviors. In the first year of the program, 117 children and their families were served. The intensity of the wraparound case management effort was measured in hours of service delivery using the Telleen computerized case management information System. The longitudinal effects of the intervention were assessed by comparing the child's functioning (as measured by the CAFAS)at intake, three months and six months. There was a significant improvement in six months (t(43) = 2.86, p = .007). This significant improvement in child functioning occurred in the areas of school functioning (t(42)=2.87,p=.006) and mood/emotions (t(38)=2.89,p=.006). This model of coordination among the five community mental health agencies, as well as the coordination of the mental health agencies with the schools, has positive effects on the retention of famlies and positive effects on the child's academic/school functioning and social and emotional functioning.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe a system of care involving the schools that addresses the prevention of serious behavioral problems and violent behavior of children.
• Articulate the areas which the system of care effectively addresses.
• identify a system for documenting the intensity of service delivery in wrap around case management for the purposes of program evaluation and management.

Keywords: Case Management, Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.