WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?

Assessments are available for children in family maintenance, family reunification, foster care, relative placement, guardianship or adoption situations. CII provides three levels of assessments. In addition to a comprehensive developmental/psychological assessment of the child, the following assessment services are available, as needed:

• psychosocial assessments of parents, prospective caregivers, or adoptive parents;
  
• parent/caregiver-child interaction; and
  
• assessment of the existing or proposed home environment.

Children are also eligible to receive CHDP equivalency physical examinations with referral to specialized clinics, where appropriate.

A full complement of follow-up services are also provided, including out-patient mental health services; therapeutic child care in center-based and community homes for ages six weeks through five years; parenting classes; specialized support groups for relative caregivers; foster family care; and substance abuse treatment. When appropriate, CII will assist CSWs in locating appropriate community providers for specialty follow-up care.

CII's Hub Child and Family Assessment Program will be provided by a multidisciplinary, multicultural, bilingual team of experienced clinicians including: a pediatrician and pediatric nurse practitioner; clinical psychologists experienced in testing and interviewing children and adults; mental health professionals experienced in assessing family interactions and dynamics; case managers who will facilitate access to community resources; and, a psychiatrist who will provide medication support and provide more extensive evaluations, as indicated.

CII will provide the CSW with written information and recommendations, based on the assessment, to assist the CSW in decision-making and in developing the case plan. The input of families, caregivers, CSWs, and PHNs is an integral part of developing the assessment report.

CII is currently implementing this program at its South County facility in Torrance. Operations will begin at a later date at CII's Central Los Angeles facility, located at 711 S. New Hampshire, Los Angeles, CA. (An FYI will be issued when this site is operational).

Children's Institute International has had a long, productive relationship with DCFS in serving children and families in the protective services system. CII has specific expertise in assessing medically fragile children and children with prenatal drug exposure, attention deficit disorder, severe emotional and behavioral problems, aggressive behaviors, and developmental disabilities. CII also has extensive experience in providing supportive consultation and services to parents, foster parents, adoptive parents and relative caregivers.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES?

Any DCFS-served child, up to age 21, residing in Los Angeles County who is enrolled in Medi-Cal fee-for-service is eligible for services. Children enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans may receive mental health assessments, but not physical health examinations at CII. These services should be obtained through the child's managed care program.

HOW DO I REFER A CHILD OR FAMILY?

For this specific CII Hub Child and Family Assessment Program only, all referrals are to be made by the Region's Public Health Nurse (PHN). The CSW should contact the PHN in his or her office and request a referral for a CII Hub Child and Family Assessment. The PHN will assist the CSW in preparing the referral materials and will contact the CII South County facility with the referral.

Referrals for all other CII programs may be made directly to CII by the CSW.