Cross-system Collaboration Tools

Collaboration Between Child Welfare and Mental Health Services (CalSWEC, 2010). Authors:  Sigrid James and Lynne Marsenich, Loma Linda University Department of Social Work and Social Ecology. Supported by a grant from the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

This module provides a primer about the intersection of the child welfare and mental health systems. The content facilitates building knowledge about both systems and introduces theories and explanatory models about what makes collaborations work.  

The British Columbia Competency Framework for Interprofessional Collaboration (2008) is a synthesis of 15 competency frameworks for health and human service professionals. The Framework is organized by three domains: (1) Interpersonal and Communication Skills; (2) Patient-Centered and Family-Focused Care; and (3) Collaborative Practice.

A collective Impact is an approach to solving complex, systemic social problems by involving multiple organizations in collaborative efforts to bring about large-scale and lasting social change. FSG, a nonprofit consulting firm that partners with nonprofit organizations, describes "Five Conditions of Collective Impact Success." An article about Collective Impact, authored by John Kania and Mark Kramer, both of FSG (2011), was published by the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

The Office of Health Information Integrity (CalOHII) provides guidance about sharing information related to the provision of mental health services to children in the foster care system. Citations in Federal Law and California Law permit the exchange, use, and disclosure of health information.  

The County of San Diego issued a blanket court order authorizing routine care and the exchange of information for all children in custody with child welfare services.