SOC Summit

Connect, Collaborate, and Commit to Change

NYS Children’s System of Care Summit 2022

June 14-June 15,2022

The NYS Children’s System of Care Summit provided an opportunity for counties to share best practices, learn from one another, and engage in planning strategies to strengthen collaboration within New York State on behalf of children, youth, young adults, and their families.

2022 System of Care Summit Goals:

• Connect systems, organizations, families, and youth at national, state, regional and local levels
• Highlight the benefits of meaningful collaboration with families and youth
• Replicate System of Care implementation successes
• Invigorate action for the Children’s System of Care.

In 1986, Beth Stroul and Robert Friedman1 published their joint article on the Systems of Care philosophy and approach, an historical call to action to improve the children’s mental health system. The framework has evolved over many years to be more inclusive of children who are navigating multiple systems. A revision to the System of Care framework was published in 20212. Dr. Gary Blau, who co-authored the monograph update, was one of our keynote speakers. Dr. Jody Levison-Johnson, our second keynote, offered a perspective on how to sustain momentum for change, having worked at the local, state, and national levels.
Everyone gathered at this Summit recognized the considerable changes that have occurred throughout New York’s Children’s System of Care in the last several years. In the wake of the pandemic, children, youth, and young adults have new and expanded needs. The System of Care framework allows us to take advantage of collective opportunities to innovate and respond.
We joined across systems, counties, agencies and with families and youth, to recommit ourselves in continued partnership to meet the varied needs of New York’s children, youth, young adults, and their families. We embrace this work together to break down our silos and partner in better ways.

Keynote Speakers

Day 1
Gary Blau,
Senior Advisor for Children,
Youth and Families at the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Day 2
Jody Levison-Johnson, PhD
President and CEO of Social Current

Peer Learning Workshops

Making a Meal out of Thrown Spaghetti 
Rachel M Ludwig, LCSW, Trish McClennan, MA, NCC, CASAC, and Thomas Fadale, Chautauqua County
Every community has past, present, and future initiatives. Sometimes the goals and objectives seem like they don’t fit together. How do you know when it’s done? And what does “done” mean? This session will include two project directors from two separate grants and the County SPOA Coordinator discussing strategies from moving from singular opportunities to systemic impact with sustainability.

From Awareness to Implementation: Action-planning and Collaboration to implement SOC principles in Seneca County 
Dr. Joseph Fantigrossi, Ed.D, Robert Ritter, B.A., and Sally Manning, M.S.
The Seneca CARES Network utilized a strategic planning process to reinvigorate their work in implementing System of Care principles in Seneca County. This interactive workshop will provide tools participants can use for their own strategic planning purposes as well as provide the work done in Seneca County as an exemplar.

Impact of the Global Pandemic on Adolescent Mental Health: A Clinical Overview of How Enrollment in Health Home Care Management within the SOC can Support Addressing the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis 
Arjon Crawford, LCSW
This presentation will offer a clinical overview using data collected over the last few years from youth enrolled in the CCF Health Home. By reviewing clinical practices and assessing the impact of the global pandemic has had on our adolescents’ mental health as well as the importance of how implementation of the SOC model has helped to address the growing concerns of this mental health crisis.

Considerations of Disability and Marginalization in Juvenile Justice 
LaWanda Cook, PhD, CRC and Matthew Saleh, JD, PhD
This interactive session will provide an overview of key learnings from three Cornell University projects for justice involved/impacted youth and young adults with disabilities. Participants will have the opportunity to consider how to create systems change to improve outcomes for these individuals and their support networks.

High Fidelity Wrap/System of Care: The Journey, the Expansion and Next Steps 
Rogelio Espinal and Kim Connolly, Astor
This presentation shares the highlights of our High-Fidelity Wrap (HFW) journey. Our history, our outcomes, and next steps. A comprehensive review of our HFW experience and ongoing commitment to help children, youth, and families achieve success at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.

The Power of Relationships, Strengths, and Interests in High Fidelity Wraparound
Bryan Richgruber & Margarita Solano                                 
This workshop will explore the power of the relationships established during the Engagement Phase, and throughout the Wraparound process. Key in establishing these relationships, is learning about the youth and family’s strengths, interests, and passions. Using and maximizing these to inform the planning process can lead to positive and remarkable outcomes. These outcomes can be enhanced through strong agency support. This workshop will explore these ideas through the perspectives of an experienced care manager and family peer advocate.

SCHout! SCHool Outreach Strategy, Challenges, and Successes in Rural Essex County
Molly Colden, Traci Ploufe, and Heather Sheehan               
In 2021, Essex County’s school outreach (SCHout!) team began by listening to school needs and building relationships. SCHout braided funding from Essex County Probation Department, Essex County DSS, Essex County Mental Health Services, The Substance Abuse Prevention Team of Essex County, and other key SOC partners to provide access to social emotional learning (SEL) training and referral support across 14 school rural school districts. Strong partnership with the Essex County Health Department encouraged schools to prioritize SEL as a vital component of COVID-19 response.

Collaborating with Schools: One County’s Experience
Chuck Allan, MPA, Monroe County                                     
This workshop will discuss effective practices and methods for local human service systems in partnering with schools to the benefit of the youth served.

LIVE from CLMHD: An Interactive Systems of Care Experience
Lisa Fiato, MHC, Michael Orth, MSW, and Richelle Gregory, MEd                     
This experiential workshop will bring “system of care” to life by engaging participants in an interactive activity that will focus on the importance of cross-systems collaboration. After the experiential group activity, we will process and highlight the value of System of Care work, opportunities available for providers, advocates, MCOs, county and state leaders to enhance their system of care efforts.

The New York State Partnership for Youth Justice: A Cross-Systems Approach to Youth Justice Reform
Lynn Tubbs, LMSW, John Johnson, Brooke Van Genderen, LMSW, Sean B. Brown, and Davia Plusch, M.S                   
The New York State Partnership for Youth Justice (PYJ or the “Partnership”) is an interbranch collaborative with a multifaceted vision to improve outcomes for youth in the justice system and their families. The PYJ aligns with the System of Care philosophy, values, and principles. Representatives from the PYJ will provide a brief overview of the collaborative, its purpose and vision, and share the focus of our collective efforts planned in 2022.

Peer Partnerships                                                             
Rebekah Umar-Bashar, CPS, YPA, and Anne-Marie Freitas, CPS, FPA, Orange County                                               
Family and Youth Peers, join us for an interactive presentation that will teach you how to work with fellow peers and other providers. Learn how to stand up for your role and for the families you work with.

Mobile Crisis & Family Peer Advocates: Maintaining the Human Touch in a Time of Upheaval                            
Jordan Margolis, LCSW-R, Lana Ritterman-McAndrew, Joanny Nunez, Shiloh Carlisle, and Kaetlin Ritchie                 
Family Peer Advocates (FPAs) work as integral members of children’s mobile crisis teams by leveraging their lived expertise to help families feel seen and heard at a fragile time that is often a family’s first experience with MH services. In a pandemic era of traumatic loss, telehealth, and pervasive behavioral health workforce shortages, what lessons can be learned from the ways that FPAs, and the children’s mobile crisis team as a multi-disciplinary whole, meet families’ expectations for stabilization, follow-up, and advocacy? Robust Q&A with attendees will follow this presentation and panel discussion.

Agitated to Elevated                                                   
Leah Gooch, M.S. Ed RYT 500                                             
Leah Gooch’s Agitated to Elevated is a trauma-sensitive workshop that provides participants with a holistic approach towards gaining self-awareness. Leah guides participants through breathing exercises, gentle mindful movements, and meditation that will increase oxygenated blood flow to the brain and muscles, improve focus, and cultivate a safe space to explore contemplative questions. Participants will leave with a renewed sense and access to their inner wisdom. Cost-efficient tools and resources will be offered based on Gooch’s 14 years of teaching NYC public schools, prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers and retreat centers. All levels welcome!

Alternatives to Incarceration: Action Research Methods 
Patrick Schelle, MSW Alternatives to Incarceration Coalition
Alternatives to Incarceration Coalition presents vital research methodology that can be applied to youth systems. When combining action and research with youth voice at the helm, there is vast opportunity for change.

The Otsego County SOC: How Collaborative Partnerships Empower our Success
Marion Mossman, Barbara Finkelstein, and Sally Tedesco   
Panelists from cross-systems will share how our collaborative partnerships empower our success. A brief video will be shown representing the stories of families, peers, schools, and organizations depicting how the System of Care has impacted their lives and work.

Meeting Caregivers Where They Are At: Bringing Nurturing Parenting Skills and Support to Incarcerated Individuals/ Caregivers During Supervised Visitation; and the Broader Essex County Community
Alan R. Jones, Terri Morse, LMHC, CASAC-Master, and Angie Allen                         
To overcome barriers to access, in 2021, Essex County SOC partners collaborated to adapt and expand parent/caregiver education for people incarcerated in county jail; in homes; during parent/caregiver supervised visitation; online; and to the community at large. Adirondack Community Action Programs, INC. (ACAP), Essex County DSS, Essex Community Services Board, and the Essex County Jail work together to refer parent/caregivers to the classes and increase access where it is needed.

CARES for Communities
Dr. Mary Anne DeVivio and Caitlin Ingoglia                           
The presentation will outline the data driven decisions to select CBOs, FBOs, and MWBE subcontractors to support communities and school districts adversely impacted by COVID and describe the systemic approach and the best practices the organizations offered to support SEL, Mental Health, and Family needs.

Health Habitus and Motivational Interviewing: Infusing MI with sociocultural determinants
Sebrena Tate, Daniele Martino, and Helen-Maria Lekas, Nathan Kline Institute   
A primary principle of High Fidelity Wraparound is to work with youth and families in a culturally and structurally humble manner. Health habitus integration (HHI) is a method of understanding the lived experiences of youth and families using the lens of humility. In this training, we combine the HHI method with skills in Motivational Interviewing (MI). This novel HHMI communication approach offers to peer advocates the skills to support youth and families achieve their goals using MI strategies informed by their cultural and structural circumstances.

Why has it taken so long? Building a system of care for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
William Mullane, Ph.D, Stephanie Marquesano, JD, and Michael Orth, MSW, Westchester County
This presentation will explore the journey that Westchester County and its collaborating organizations have taken to build a comprehensive, trauma informed, co-occurring system of care.

Doing What’s Best for Kids and Families: Onondaga County System of Care, Understanding Onondaga’s creative solutions to challenging systemic issues   
Jennifer Parmalee, MPA, Jessica Hopps, and Willie Elliot
The implementation of System of Care is a rewarding, arduous and complex journey for any community. In this presentation, Onondaga County will discuss its ups and downs throughout the process so far and discuss the solutions we came up with. The goal of the presentation is to explore Onondaga County’s Systems of Care… so far…; help you understand Onondaga’s creative solutions to challenging systemic issues, and to get your creative juices flowing to identify areas of opportunities for evolution in your community. We will be having a working/planning period during the session, and we encourage you to bring other members of your County’s System of Care Team.

Poster Presentations and Networking

System of Care Development in New York State: Successes and Struggles
Jennifer Ciccone, MA
The New York State (NYS) Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors, Inc recently contracted with the Center for Human Services Research to conduct a study to better understand the current state of System of Care (SOC) in NYS, with the goal of informing SOC development conversations. Interesting findings emerged across the data sources (surveys and interviews) that point to successes and challenges in SOC implementation in NYS.

FCA’s System of Care Family Focused Approach
Lori Adelberg and Sondra Rakitovan
FCA’s System of Care Family Focused Approach utilizes the family’s voice along with the support from the FCA TEAM! This includes supports such as Care Management, Parent Support, Support Groups, Respite Services, and our mental health supportive services (CFTSS).

A Cross Collaborative Approach to School-Based Risk Assessment Development
Dr. Hennessey Lustica, PhD, LMHC, ACS, and Margi Taber, CASAC
This poster presentation will introduce the cross-collaborative efforts of Wayne County Community Schools, Wayne Behavioral Health Network, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, local Child Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEP), and eleven school districts to develop and implement a risk assessment instrument. Key points will include best-practice collaboration, increased communication across sectors of care, youth and family voice, data collection and revision, and wrap around services for students returning to school from a higher level of care.

Understanding the NYC System of Care for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Meghan Hamwey, PhD and Annalee Brody, BA
Intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in NYC are a critical group who crosscut all systems of care. Their unique needs and experiences are detailed in this mixed-methods study utilizing perspectives from providers, stakeholders, and caregivers.

Systems Change: Value of Lived Expertise in Peer Support
Nivea Jackson, MS, YPA-C and Cathy Kent, YPA-C
Peer support is a rapidly growing service and an essential component of a system of care. To continue improving YPA skills, knowledge, and contribution to the youth peer advocacy workforce and systems, we propose embracing the notion of “lived expertise’ as a key concept. The concept of lived expertise has been introduced and utilized in other settings and different workforce sectors. This poster will explore the use of the concept in the YPA workforce within the mental health sector.

A Pilot Implementation of High-Fidelity Wraparound in New York State Residential Treatment Facilities
Sharifa Z. Williams, MS, DrPH, Helen-Maria Lekas, PhD,
Sebrena Tate, BS, Daniele Martin, MA, and Crystal Fuller Lewis, PhD
NYS SOC aims to integrate High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) within NYS’ Medicaid Health Homes Serving Children. In 2019, the NYS SOC began to provide HFW training and coaching to the pilot implementation RTF, as well as support to increase successful family and community integration following discharge. This presentation will (1) introduce the pilot implementation including training and coaching within the RTF setting, and (2) discuss findings and recommendations from the evaluation.

High Fidelity Wraparound Tips and Strategies
Allyson Good, LMHC, Tameika Shoulders, MA, and Deirdre Sferrazza, LMSW
The ACHIEVE- System of Care High Fidelity Wraparound program includes services that are individualized and provide community-based care coordination to children and their families to improve the family’s ability to keep the child at home and out of residential care. Through the wraparound process, we get to know the family, create a team together, learn what works for the family, and celebrate successes along the way. This poster will focus on engaging youth, families, and providers in the wraparound process.

Strong Starts Court Initiative: Centering Infants and Toddlers Across Systems
Justine v.S. Lill, Esq. and Jordann Feinstein
Infants and toddlers are the largest group of children in foster care or otherwise brought into the child welfare system. These children often face serious adversities such as maltreatment, trauma, and attachment disruptions impacting their formative years. The Strong Starts Court Initiative brings expertise in early child development to all stages of Family Court proceedings in cases of neglect or abuse for children birth to three years of age. Strong Starts supports infants, toddlers, caregivers and families so that the court becomes a catalyst for positive change in the lives of young children. SSCI does this by facilitating cross-sector collaboration that focuses on the infant’s need for protection and secure attachment, and by considering all child welfare practices through the lens of promoting healthy development and infant mental health and strengthening parent-child relationships. In operation since 2015, Strong Starts continues to grow. Now operating in six counties, the program has directly served more than 200 infants and toddlers and their families, and indirectly supported many others through professional education for court stakeholders and case consultations.

Cultural and Structural Humility Training in NYS SOC: Evaluation and Lessons Learned
Crystal Fuller Lewis, PhD and Helen-Maria Lekas, PhD
This poster by the Center for Research on Cultural and Structural Equity in Behavioral Health (CCASE) at the Nathan Kline Institute is based on an evaluation of the Cultural and Structural Competence (CSC) training, a component of New York State’s High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) training. The CSC training was provided to FPAs, YPAs, care managers and supervisors and was designed to enhance trainees’ understanding of the structural and cultural determinants of family and youth health and integrate it into the trainees’ HFW skillset and practice. The poster will include information on focusing the training on FPAs and YPAs, effectiveness and utility of the training, and recommendations for improvement and scale-up through NYS’s System of Care.

High Fidelity Wraparound Impact on Child and Youth Functioning
Christina Hatten, MPH and Monroe Marshall, MPH, TCI
The NYS SOC Project aims to improve the lives of children and youth who experience serious mental or behavioral health challenges and their families, in part through the implementation and expansion of the High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) care management model. The CANS-NY (Child Adolescent Needs and Strengths) tool is designed to assess youth and caregiver strengths and needs across several domains and is conducted at baseline HFW enrollment and during reassessment periods. An examination of CANS-NY scores from baseline HFW enrollment to the first reassessment period reveals emerging positive impacts of the wraparound approach for those served during the initial 15 months of the current NYS SOC grant period.

Finessing Fidelity
Miranda Himes, LCSW-R
This poster will focus on the challenges that impact utilizing TCI to fidelity programmatically and how best to build an infrastructure within these programs enhance the use of the model. If the model is not being used to fidelity, how can we accurately evaluate the symptomology that’s root in behavioral challenges?

Overdose Prevention: Do you know what is in your medicine cabinet?
Jessica Sorbello, LMSW
In order to maintain safety for yourself and your loved ones, it is important to understand what medications are in your home and how to safely dispose of them. People of all ages are at risk for accidental overdose or medication misuse, making it necessary for everyone to understand the best strategies to minimize these risks. Learn about resources to allow you to promote overdose prevention strategies within your home, family, and community.

Interested in Learning More?

Reach out to The NYS System of Care Team.