Policy Directives for the State of California
In order to provide guidance to counties for implementing the collaborative model for child welfare and mental health practice, All-County Letters (ACLs) and All-County Information Notices (ACINS) are periodically issued by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), and Mental Health Information Notices are periodically issued by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). These notices are accessible on the respective web pages of each agency that are designated for Katie A. v. Bonta matters.
CDSS and DHCS issue the Foster Youth Mental Health Bill of Rights regarding the legal rights of California foster youth within the public mental health system.
Joint Management Task Force (JMT)
In July 2014, the Joint Management Task Force (JMT), which was established as a result of the Katie A. v. Bonta settlement agreement, produced a Joint Management Task Force Cover Letter, Final Recommendations Report, and appendices (A-D).
Guidance for Sharing Information
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. For more information, visit: The California Office of Health Information Integrity (CalOHII).
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.
County Policy and Procedural Tools
A document of Katie A. Policy and Procedures (February 7, 2014) and an accompanying PowerPoint were provided courtesy of the Shasta County Children's Services Department. The accompanying PowerPoint provides an overview of the Katie A. settlement agreement; the intended outcomes of the agreement; the Core Practice Model; the Katie A. subclass; Mental Health Screening; and the Child and Family Team. A Katie A. Subclass Database and Mental Health Screening Database have also been provided. Attachments A-F of the Policy & Procedures document are provided as individual Word documents below:
- Attachment A: Mental Health Screening Form
- Attachment B: Mental Health Re-Screening Form
- Attachment C: Katie A. Eligibility Evaluation Form
- Attachment D: Process to Refer Open Cases for a Katie A. Subclass Evaluation
- Attachment E: Process to Refer Intake Cases for a Katie A. Subclass Evaluation
- Attachment F: Shasta County Child & Family Team (CFT) Meeting Template
Sharing Policy and Procedural Tools
We encourage counties and partnering agencies to assist statewide implementation by sharing resources on this website about county policies and procedures. If you have any documents, forms, or other tools to share, please contact Phyllis Jeroslow, pjero@berkeley.edu.