Mental Health Systems

is a non-profit agency founded

in 1978 to improve the lives

of individuals, families and

communities facing substance abuse

and behavioral health challenges.

mhsinc.orgFamilies Forward

9445 Farnham Street, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123P (858) 380-4676 | F (858) 569-2418

Email: swilliams@mhsinc.org

Funded by the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services.

MHS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

FamiliesForward

Helping Families Help Themselves

What Is Wraparound?Wraparound partners mental health professionals with families in a planning process to find creative solutions to families’ problems and challenges. The team creates goals to promote stabilization in the home and self-sufficiency through community and family partnerships, and to keep children in their homes and communities by bringing people together from different parts of the family’s life to provide a network of support.

BenefitsOur families have experienced significant benefits from their participation in the program. Children and youth have been able to accomplish their goal of remaining in their homes with their families and have become more successful in other key areas of their lives. In the past year, our clients have achieved the following:

• 98.3% of clients avoided a higher level of out of home placement

• 99.5% of clients avoided felony arrest

• 95% of clients who had arrests prior to enrollment had 50% fewer arrests by the end of one year in the program.

• 77.8% of clients attended school (or had excused absences) for 90% of the days that school was in session.

Who We ServeAt Families Forward we serve children and youth who have a mental health diagnosis and are either:

• At risk for out of home placement; or• In need of support transitioning home.

ServicesOur Wraparound family services include:• Case Management

• Crisis Intervention and Planning

• Educational Liaison Services

• Information and Referrals

• Linkage with Other Child-Serving Agencies and Organizations

• Mental Health Services

• Social Rehabilitation

• Substance Abuse Treatment

• Support and Education

• Treatment Groups

“With other people, I felt criticized, with Families Forward I felt supported.”

- Liz P., El Cajon

Eligibility and Referral Process• Children and youth (ages 6-21) with full scope Medi-Cal, who are dependents

of CWS, wards of Probation, or served through County Mental Health. and are at imminent risk of high level placement; or have multiple psychiatric hospitalizations; or have multiple failed placements; or are transitioning from a higher level of care.

• Children and youth (ages 6-21) without full scope Medi-Cal must meet the same criteria as above and be wards of Probation or dependents of CWS. Referrals must go through an Eligibility and Enrollment Committee made up of Child Welfare, Probation, a program representative and a County representative.

• For our families that do not meet eligibility criteria, our “No Wrong Door” policy provides up to ten hours of linkage to community resources. We provide follow up to ensure that the family’s needs are met with the appropriate resources.