CCAP Workgroup Testifies on Findings and Recommendations of Complex Case Report
News Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Complex cases are situations where minors, who are in the custody of the county, are not receiving the level of care sufficient to meet their mental, behavioral or physical needs.
Members of a County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) workgroup testified Wednesday in front of the House Children and Youth Committee regarding their findings and recommendations in addressing complex cases in Pennsylvania released by a workgroup of 17 county leaders earlier this year.
Complex cases are situations where minors, who are in the custody of the county, are not receiving the level of care sufficient to meet their mental, behavioral or physical needs. An example of this would be a dependent and/or delinquent youth sleeping in a Children and Youth Services office or hotel instead of receiving the care necessary to meet their needs.
“Our current system has created an environment where our professionals don’t get the opportunity to work with families at the onset of troubles leading to years of escalating behaviors that leave families worn out, desperate and torn apart,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Jean Foschi.
Between January 1 and June 30 of 2023, 45 counties were able to provide data on the number of youths forced to sleep somewhere other than a licensed child placement facility. During this time period, it was found that over 250 youth slept somewhere other than a licensed placement facility and 175 youth were forced to stay in a hospital beyond their discharge date.
Other findings included:
The group’s primary recommendation is the development of a no eject/no reject program to ensure youth have a safe place to stay when there are no other options.
Other recommendations include:
“We have identified several recommendations for the House Children and Youth Committee to consider that would address the immediate crisis. We urge you to act decisively and swiftly so our good work in helping children and families can continue in a meaningful and productive way,” Foschi said.
Complex cases are situations where minors, who are in the custody of the county, are not receiving the level of care sufficient to meet their mental, behavioral or physical needs. An example of this would be a dependent and/or delinquent youth sleeping in a Children and Youth Services office or hotel instead of receiving the care necessary to meet their needs.
“Our current system has created an environment where our professionals don’t get the opportunity to work with families at the onset of troubles leading to years of escalating behaviors that leave families worn out, desperate and torn apart,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Jean Foschi.
Between January 1 and June 30 of 2023, 45 counties were able to provide data on the number of youths forced to sleep somewhere other than a licensed child placement facility. During this time period, it was found that over 250 youth slept somewhere other than a licensed placement facility and 175 youth were forced to stay in a hospital beyond their discharge date.
Other findings included:
- 99 youth did not receive mental health services needed because the hospital could not provide the level of care and simply discharged them.
- 284 youth who were placed in a lower level of care than what was recommended
- 33 youth placed outside of Pennsylvania when in state placements couldn’t be located
The group’s primary recommendation is the development of a no eject/no reject program to ensure youth have a safe place to stay when there are no other options.
Other recommendations include:
- More concerted efforts to develop programs that accept challenging behaviors
- Greater emphasis on improving state, county, and private staffing throughout child welfare
- Revision of the nature of the licensing system for Children and Youth
“We have identified several recommendations for the House Children and Youth Committee to consider that would address the immediate crisis. We urge you to act decisively and swiftly so our good work in helping children and families can continue in a meaningful and productive way,” Foschi said.