Serious emotional disturbance , programs

Concerns that disproportionate numbers of children with serious emotional disturbance were being removed from their communities led to the development of systems of care in the 1980s. In 1992, Congress passed the Comprehensive Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program which supported the development of these systems of care. A system of care is in or near the home and community. In fiilly developed systems of care, local public and private organizations work in teams with families and children to both plan and implement individualized services for each child s physical, emotional, social, educational, and family needs. Teams include family advocates and representatives fi om mental health, health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, vocational rehabilitation, recreation, substance abuse, and other services. Systems of care have supported the use of mental health clinicians in schools, school- and community-based wraparound planning and services, and student support services (Woodruff et al., 1999). 

Bruns, E. J., Walrath, C Siegel, G. M., Weist, M. D. (in press). School-based mental health services in Baltimore Association with school climate and special education referrals. Behavior Modification. Cole, R., Poe, S. (1993). Partnerships for care Systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Interim report of the mental health services program for youth. Washington. DC Washington Business Group on Health. 

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