Final Report - RI Department of Children, Youth & Families

CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
DCYF works closely with both public and private insurance companies to develop clinical
pathways and procedures for cost sharing when necessary. The system of care builds on the
success Rhode Island has achieved in maximizing access for children to healthcare. The
Department of Human Services (DHS) continues to work with community partners and other
state agencies to improve care and services for eligible children and maximize Medicaid
reimbursement. Access to Medicaid-reimbursable services for children with special health
care needs is enhanced through the expanded use of CEDARR Family Centers and the
collaboration of CEDARR Family Centers with DCYF’s Care Networks and the LCC
structure. The Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with other state agencies, works
with private health care insurers to extend benefits for children with special health care needs
to assure access to quality screening, assessment, and all levels of medically necessary care
for children.
DCYF STRATEGY #1 - LEAD ROLE WITH PRIORITY POPULATIONS
This system recognizes, embraces, and supports the statutorily defined lead role delegated to
the Department of Children, Youth and Families “to plan, develop, and evaluate a
comprehensive and integrated statewide program of services designed to ensure the
opportunity for children to reach their full potential.” 3 DCYF, in collaboration with
Children’s Cabinet agencies, ensures that a full array of services is available to all children
and their families. DCYF focuses its resources on three priority populations, recognizing that
a majority of the concentration of these populations are found in Rhode Island’s six core
cities 4 . These populations are:
! Dependent, neglected or abused children and youth requiring state intervention to
ensure safety;
! Children and youth who meet clearly defined criteria for Serious Emotional Disturbance
or Developmental Disability and who require publicly supported care and services;
and
! Youth who are adjudicated as delinquent and who require probationary supervision or
incarceration.
DCYF STRATEGY #2 – REGIONALLY ADMINISTERED AND INTEGRATED CARE AND CASE
MANAGEMENT
DCYF integrates the day-to-day operation of juvenile corrections, children’s behavioral
health, and child welfare (see Chapter 3). Regional Offices coordinate all child welfare 5 ,
behavioral health, and juvenile corrections services through the lens of family-centered,
culturally competent, gender specific (see Appendices B, C and L) practice that is
community-based and school-linked. DCYF strengthens the authority and responsibility of
3 RIGL 42-72-5(a)
4 These are originally identified as Central Falls, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket in the 2001
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook. Providence: Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, p. 3. Based on new census
data, KIDS Count has recently added West Warwick to their list of core cities.
5 Child Protective Services, including the child abuse hotline, investigative functions and intake remain Central
Office functions
System of Care Task Force Report (January 2003) 20