SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES

What is Single Point of Access (SPOA)?:

In Onondaga County, SPOA was created for the purpose of assisting in identifying high-need, at-risk children and youth, while developing strategies for services in order to maintain them in our community and to develop a system responsive to the needs of families.  SPOA assesses the strengths and needs of referred children, provides parental assistance, and addresses the child’s past and present services and supports.  The completed SPOA process subsequently leads to linking children and youth to the most appropriate services.  SPOA is available to families and service providers who are seeking help for a child with an emotional disability.

Services Available Through SPOA:

The following provides a brief description of services available to eligible*** children and youth, ages 5 through 18, referred to SPOA.  Services are voluntary, and each of the following service is provided at no cost to the families.  (Eligibility*** criteria includes having a DSM IV, Axis I Diagnosis and Serious Emotional Disturbance.  Exceptions for some services exist.)

COMMUNITY SERVICES

• Family Support Services – Family Support provides case management services that are targeted to the family as a whole, rather than to a specific child.  Services include: educational and community advocacy, parent support and skill building, community linkage, and working towards maintaining disturbed children in the least restrictive environment.

• Case Management Services – Case Managers serve youth that are identified as needing additional support due to a severe emotional disturbance.  These mental health professionals team with families to create individualized plans for children, focusing on maintaining children in the least restrictive environment possible.  Intensive Case Management Services (ICM) and Supportive Case Management Services (SCM) are determined upon the need of the child.  The emphasis is on utilizing the strengths of the child and family to develop the family’s natural supports.

• Customized Community Services – The Youth and Family Development Specialist (YFDS) supports parents or guardians who are raising children with serious emotional challenges.  The YFDS, in conjunction with the family and the primary care planner, develops time-limited individualized and specific goals, focusing on skill building.  Youth skill building and Parent skill building may include topics such as: impulse control, anger management skills, social skills and interactions, balancing limit setting, increasing skills in active listening, and using positive reinforcement.

• Home & Community Based Waiver – This is an all inclusive program which provides wraparound services including: respite care coordination, skill building, family support, crisis intervention, intensive in-home support, as well as linking families to other community supports.  This service is directed toward the child who is at imminent risk of placement in a Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) due to severe emotional disturbance.

OUT-of-HOME PLACEMENT SERVICES

• Family to Family – Family to Family is a family-based treatment program, which provides an effective alternative to residential care.  Surrogate families are trained to maintain and treat seriously emotionally disturbed youth in their homes.  There is a strong supportive backup for the surrogate families, as well as extensive treatment and contact with the biological family/guardian.  The goal is to return the child(ren) to their own family environment.

• Toomey Residential, Mather Street (Ages 6 to 13) - Mather Street Children’s Community Residence serves children who are severely emotionally disturbed and cannot be maintained in their homes with community supports.  The therapeutic milieu focuses on behavior management, self-esteem and skill development.  Children must demonstrate a willingness to participate in an individual service plan and adhere to the basic rules of the residence.  Family involvement is encouraged.

• Hillside Children’s Center Residential Treatment Facility (RTF), Auburn Campus – The Hillside RTF meets the needs of severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.  Services provided include: assessment, psychiatric and psychological services, medical treatment, individual and group psychotherapy, recreation therapy, and special educational services.  Families receive support, education, training, and case management.  The Hillside RTF facility also contains an Intensive Treatment Unit, the only one in New York State.