What types of services are you searching for?

Select Service Behavioral Health Clinics Community Integration Centers Drug & Alcohol Safety Education Program Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention Resource Center Transitional Housing

Delivering Quality Behavioral Health Care

WHAT IS CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SERVICE SYSTEM PROGRAM?

The CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SERVICE SYSTEM PROGRAM (CASSP) was established in Arkansas by Act 964 of 1991 and in 2001 through Act 1517. CASSP is based on the concept developed by the National Institute of Mental Health that focuses on the need for interagency collaboration and coordination across systems in delivering multiple services to seriously emotionally disturbed children. CASSP service teams are available throughout the state to develop multi-agency plans of care for individual children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance when the current system is not adequately meeting their needs.

Arkansas CASSP - http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/dmhs/cassp_brochure.htm

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

MENTAL HEALTH is how we think, feel, and act in order to face life situations. It is how we look at ourselves, our lives and the people we know and care about. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life.

WHAT ARE SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES?

The phrase, SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES for children and adolescents, refers to mental health problems that are severely disrupting daily life and functioning at home, at school, or in the community. Serious emotional disturbances can affect young people at any given time. Without help, such mental health problems can lead to school failure, alcohol or drug abuse, family discord, violence, or even suicide.

WHO DOES CASSP SERVE?

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. If a youth is in treatment upon reaching the 18th birthday, treatment and traditional services should continue. Other persons who realize the need for treatment after they have reached eighteen years of age would enter the adult treatment system.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHOSE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARE DISABLING BASED UPON SOCIAL FUNCTIONING CRITERIA. Level of functioning is a critical variable for children and adolescents, determining the nature and level of care that is appropriate. Degree of disability or level of functioning in a family, school and community context is often more meaningful than a mental health diagnosis in planning and delivering services.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO HAVE A MULTI-AGENCY NEED. Children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral problems require an array of services which necessitates the involvement of multiple agencies including mental health, health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and others.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO HAVE A DIAGNOSED MENTAL, BEHAVIORAL, OR EMOTIONAL DISORDER OF A LONG-TERM NATURE. Disability of at least one-year duration, or substantial risk of this, may be considered long-term.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO EXHIBIT ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: The behavior occurs with a sufficient frequency to be considered a pattern or response, or to be so intense that the consequences lead to a severe measure of control, such as seclusion, restraint, hospitalization, or chemical intervention. The behaviors although provoked, are judged to be extreme or inappropriate for the age (very aggressive, self-withdrawal). The behaviors are sufficiently disruptive as to lead to exclusion from school, home, therapeutic or recreational settings. The behaviors are sufficiently intense or severe to be considered seriously detrimental to the child's growth, development, welfare or to the safety or welfare of others.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF CASSP IN REGION 7?

The mission of CASSP in Region 7 is to provide easy access to comprehensive, quality services in the least restrictive environment for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents and their families through the service and support of a core group which will utilize multi-agency cooperation and collaboration to provide assistance to difficult-to-serve youths.

WHAT COUNTIES ARE IN REGION 7 OF CASSP?

CASSP Referral Form

CASSP Region 7 includes the counties of

• CLEBURNE
• FULTON
• INDEPENDENCE
• IZARD
• JACKSON
• SHARP
• STONE
• VAN BUREN
• WHITE
• WOODRUFF.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED WITH CASSP IN REGION 7?

Please contact the CASSP Coordinator for Region 7, Staci Ringwald, at 870/793-8925 if:

1. You are needing to refer a child or adolescent to CASSP in Region 7 for the purpose of a Multi-Agency Plan of Service Staffing, or
2. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Regional Planning Team or one of the 10 Local County Service Teams in Region 7.