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Innovations in Court Response to Children's Mental Health, Medical, Educational and Special Needs

Presented by: Tracy Ellis, General Magistrate, 13 th Judicial Circuit Selena Schoonover, Court Case Manager, 13th Judicial Circuit David Silverstein, Assistant Attorney General, Tampa. Innovations in Court Response to Children's Mental Health, Medical, Educational and Special Needs.

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Innovations in Court Response to Children's Mental Health, Medical, Educational and Special Needs

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  1. Presented by: Tracy Ellis, General Magistrate, 13th Judicial Circuit Selena Schoonover, Court Case Manager, 13th Judicial Circuit David Silverstein, Assistant Attorney General, Tampa Innovations in Court Response to Children's Mental Health, Medical, Educational and Special Needs

  2. Independent Living Court • Launched in the 13th Judicial Circuit, by the Hon. Herbert Baumann in 2006. • Focuses on: • Foster Care Teens • Youth involved in both the dependency and delinquency systems

  3. Independent Living Court • The Independent Living Court provides • Frequent Status Conferences for case planning and review. • Close oversight as the teen approaches 18 years old to ensure the teen receives all services.

  4. Independent Living/Mental Health General Magistrate Court Program • Launched in December 2008 • Focuses on: • Teens eligible for Independent Living Court and who have mental health issues and/or developmental disabilities

  5. Independent Living/Mental Health General Magistrate Court Program • The Program provides: • Extensive hearings and follow-up to address each teen’s distinct issues • Oversight to ensure that each teen is provided with necessary services • Comprehensive plan to transition the teen to life after foster care

  6. Independent Living/Mental Health General Magistrate Court Program • This Program consists of: • Part-Time General Magistrate • Case Manager • Mental Health Professional

  7. Independent Living/Mental Health General Magistrate Court Program • Through frequent hearings the GM is able to: • Ensure appropriate mental health services before and after the age of 18 • Monitor psychotropic medication • Obtain comprehensive psychiatric and/or psychological evaluations • Follow-up on appropriate APD services

  8. Independent Living/Mental Health General Magistrate Court Program • Ensure individualized educational plans • Monitor medical and dental services • Track criminal charges and disposition • Address appropriate SSI benefits • Transition to post-18 services and placements

  9. Independent Living/Mental Health General Magistrate Court Program • Follow-up on ILS services where appropriate • Work on Guardianship plans • Address all crisis issues

  10. Independent Living/Mental Health General Magistrate Court Program • There is a need for foster children of all ages, who have developmental disabilities, mental health challenges and other complex problems, to have strict court oversight.

  11. 2004 National Survey • In a sample of all children involved in the child welfare system: • Nearly 50% exhibited a clinical need for mental health services • Only 16% received any mental health specialty services in the 12 months preceding the survey • Remaining 84% received no mental health services

  12. 2004 National Survey • Among the children with strong evidence of clinical need, only 12% had received any care • Young children were very unlikely to receive mental health care.

  13. Hillsborough County Children’s Board Grant • The 13th Judicial Circuit obtained a grant to expand the Program to focus on children who have, or are suspected to have, one of the following pervasive conditions: • Developmental disability • Developmental delays • Chronic medical condition • Mental health disorder

  14. Hillsborough County Children’s Board Grant • The child must also have at least two of the following contributing risk factors: • Under the age of seven • Two or more of the pervasive conditions • The victim of sexual abuse or severe physical abuse • Baker Acted multiple times

  15. Hillsborough County Children’s Board Grant • Developmental disability but has been denied services by ADP • Adoption disruption • A parent with one of the pervasive conditions aforementioned • Multiple placement changes within 6 months

  16. Hillsborough County Children’s Board Grant • Unmet educational need • Medical complication • Mental health or behavioral problems • Aging out of foster care

  17. Department’s Response to Mental Health Court • Caseworker • "Parent Perspective" – Urgency • Achieve expertise with mental health, APD, and educational services for children • Know how to access services • Understand funding alternatives • Do not assume what child needs - have professionals make determination

  18. Department’s Response to Mental Health Court • Caseworker (cont.) • Understand evaluations • Make sure child understands process and services • Advocate for the child’s right to a stable education

  19. Department’s Response to Mental Health Court • CLS Attorney • Establish expertise • Meet with the child • Advocate for the child • Understand evaluations • Ensure that caseworker is accessing services for child • Build relationship with APD attorney

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