·         BC-SCORES is a System of Care operating in Beaver County Pennsylvania. A System of Care is a coordinated network of community-based services and supports organized to meet the needs of youth with a serious mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis and those of their families.

·         A System of Care builds on the strength of the family.

·         Traditional service delivery systems give families very little flexibility in how they enter into mental health and drug and alcohol services.

·         BC-SCORES allows entry through any partner, child-serving system, and even personal referral.

·         BC-SCORES is part of a much larger national movement to promote the development of Systems of Care.  There are hundreds of other communities throughout the U.S., who have already done what we are doing with BC-SCORES.  The outcomes from these communities are impressive:

·         School performance improved significantly

The number of youth with passing grades increased 14% within 6 months of
      beginning services, with 68% achieving a passing grade at 6 months from

entry.

·         Suspensions and expulsions decreased

Delinquent behaviors decreased 17% among youth involved in a System of Care, with significantly fewer youth suspended or expelled from school.

·         School attendance improved significantly

The number of youth with regular school attendance increased nearly 7% from entry into services to 6 months after beginning services, with 87% of youth attending school regularly at 6 months.

·         Reduced emotional and behavioral problems

Clinical outcome of youth improved after 6 months in a System of Care.  Emotional and behavioral symptoms were significantly reduced or remained stable for nearly 90% of youth.  In addition, the proportion of youth, who improved in clinical outcomes, increased significantly after 18 months of services.

Eligibility

·         Beaver County Resident

·         Ages 10 to 21

·         Involved with the Juvenile Justice System or at risk of being involved with the Juvenile Justice System, or experiencing disciplinary problems in school. 

·         Behavioral health and/or substance abuse concerns. 

Guiding Principles of Systems of Care

In Systems of Care, state, county, and local agencies partner with families and communities to address the multiple needs of children and families involved in child welfare and other service systems. At the heart of the effort is a shared set of guiding principles that include interagency collaboration; individualized strength-based care; cultural competence; child, youth, and family involvement; community-based services; and accountability. These principles are essential elements of any successful System of Care. The implementation of these principles reflects the common goals of the agency, community, and family to ensure the safety, permanency, and well being of children, youth, and families.

System of Care Principles include:

Interagency collaboration
Engages child- and family-serving agencies from the public, private, and faith-based sectors.

Individualized strength-based care
Acknowledges each child and family's unique set of strengths and challenges and builds care plans that optimize those strengths while meeting the challenges.

Cultural and Linguistic Competence
Refers to a defined set of organizational values and principles, as well as behaviors, attitudes, policies, and structures that enable systems to work effectively cross-culturally.

Family and youth involvement
Requires mutual respect and meaningful partnership between families and professionals at all levels.

Community-based services
Engaging home, school, and community-based resources as the optimal method for providing care and support to youth and families.

Accountability
Refers to the continual assessment of practice, organizational, and financial outcomes to determine the System of Care's effectiveness in meeting the needs of youth and families.