Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP)
Children and Adolescent Services System Program (CASSP) focuses on the need for interagency collaboration and coordination across systems in delivering multiple services to seriously emotionally disturbed children /youth and their families. In Bedford and Somerset Counties, CASSP provides a coordinated, comprehensive, child-centered approach for all agencies, schools, and family members to develop, collaborate and coordinate services for children/youth. CASSP assists children/youth involved in more than one child-serving system including but not limited to Juvenile Probation, Children and Youth Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, Schools, etc., to gain access to needed services. A CASSP Coordinator facilitates interagency team meetings, as needed with all involved parties, for the purpose of developing multiagency plans of care for individual children and youth with serious emotional disturbance especially when the current system is not adequately meeting their needs. Family involvement is very important and members present are given the opportunity to discuss their concerns, needs, and expectations.
No fee is associated with CASSP. However, there may be some costs involved for services recommended by the Interagency Team.
Referral is required by agency staff, school personnel, family members, or concerned persons.
The Goals of CASSP include:
- Promoting the development of a wide array of services to meet the needs of identified children,
- Integrating multiple services into a well-coordinated system of care to make sure children are receiving the most appropriate services, and
- Increasing the ability of parents and professionals to work together for the benefit of the child.
CASSP Principles
- Services are child centered
- Services are family focused
- Services are community based
- Services are planned in collaboration with all systems involved with the child
- Services are culturally competent
- Services are least restrictive and least intrusive as possible