BTKH Mat-Su Demonstration Project

Our Kids, Our Families, Our Community

The Co-Occurring Disorders Institute, Inc., (CoDI) has accepted a grant from the State of Alaska to partner with the State's Child Policy Team, the Bring the Kids Home (BTKH) Committee and collaborative sections of the Division of Behavioral Health to help conceptualize, develop and evaluate a "Care Management" model of service provision. This demonstration project is an effort to test various components and processes surrounding the state's effort to bring kids home from outside residential treatment centers and commitment to treatment for youth in their home communities. With this target in mind, CoDI has initiated a two year effort in the Mat-Su catchment area to work with all local agencies, including state gate keeping and utilization review groups, to outline and implement a wraparound and community support network of services for and with the identified families and youth.

The project tasks CoDI with combing the literature and other successful national programs for principles, policies and elements that can be combined and adapted to Alaskan realities. CoDI has been in contact with numerous outside governmental and private groups utilizing comprehensive service networks for complex and difficult youth and their families. We have also been engaged in literature research on evidenced-based practices, practical applications and reasonable evaluation measures to help inform the evolution of this model in the Mat-Su Valley. CoDI will be systematically observing and informing the evolving "care" philosophy and model as well as working directly with community providers of services and support. These include not only the community public-funded behavioral health or developmental disability services but with larger institutions like DJJ and OCS as well as others like faith-based, not-for-profit and private providers. The intent is that, over two years, relationships and co-operative processes and procedures will be formalized and executed between all associated supportive services. Fundamental to this project is increasing direct resources and support to the family prior to their children's going or returning from out-of-state placement. Anticipatory interventions and preparation will, by theory, increase the likelihood of success and decrease community anxiety.

CoDI is anxiously engaged in working with multiple families identified by the state and community providers. Our involvement is ONLY through working with the designated service providers in conjunction with the family. The designated provider is either the historical agency/person that worked with the client and/or family or one that is identified in a disposition/bring the kid home community group. CoDI then becomes a resource and advocate with and for the family and partner with the provider. Any direct CoDI contact with the family is only by invitation and with adequate Release of Information. CoDI does not provide any direct services like therapy or respite but can act as resource broker, voice for the family and supporter of services, even those outside usual Medicaid or ISA funded. This aspect of brokering is facilitated by a child-specific fund of money to be applied through comprehensive treatment and support planning with and on behalf of the family.

Details of the model of "care" are beginning to manifest and will continue to become clearer and more defined as the project unfolds. Elements and procedures will be submitted to the state for eventual distribution to other regions and agencies. Hopefully, this project will realize an economic as well as human positive outcome for our great state, its families and youth.

 

Our Kids, Our Families, Our Community

Jump on board the "BTKH" Mat-Su Demonstration Project. It's time to join hands together to help contribute in creating and implementing a care model.

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