SECTIONS 5699-5699.5 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 5699-5699.5

5699. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) That mental health case management services required for
children with serious emotional disturbance are different than these
services for mentally disordered clients described in Chapter 2.5
(commencing with Section 5670).
(2) That mental health case management services for children with
serious emotional disturbance are not defined in statute.
(3) That the development of mental health case management for
these children would assure comprehensive appraisal and utilization
of the most appropriate resources within the children's environment
as well as the maintenance and strengthening of family ties.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the
development of mental health case management services for children
with serious emotional disturbance who are separated or at risk of
being separated from their families and require mental health
treatment, to the extent resources are available. It is further the
intent of the Legislature that mental health case management for
children with serious emotional disturbance in this state be
developed in accordance with the definitions and guidelines contained
in this chapter.

5699.1. Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in
this article govern the construction of this chapter.

5699.2. Children identified for case management services under this
section shall be minors under 18 years of age described in Section
5600.3 as seriously emotionally disturbed, and who also meet one or
more of the following criteria:
(a) A child who is a ward or dependent of the juvenile court
pursuant to Section 300, 601, or 602 and is placed out-of-home.
(b) A child who is a special education student defined in
paragraph 8 of subdivision (b) of Section 300.5 of Title 34 of the
Code of Federal Regulations and is receiving residential care
pursuant to an individual educational program. This section also
includes special education students through age 21 identified in
paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 56026 of the Education
Code.
(c) An inpatient in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric health
facility, or residential treatment facility receiving services either
on a voluntary or involuntary basis.
(d) An outpatient receiving intensive non-24-hour mental health
treatment, such as day treatment or crisis services who is "at risk"
of psychiatric hospitalization or out-of-home placement for
residential treatment.

5699.3. "Individual treatment plan" means a plan that includes all
of the following:
(a) An assessment of the minor's specific capabilities and
problems.
(b) A statement of specific, time-limited objectives for improving
the capabilities and resolving the problems. The objectives shall be
stated in measurable terms which allow measurement of progress.
(c) A schedule of the type and amount of services to achieve
treatment plan objectives, including identification of the provider
or providers of service responsible for attaining each objective.
(d) A schedule of regular periodic review and reassessment to
ascertain that planned services have been provided and that
objectives have been reached within the times specified.

5699.4. On and after January 1, 1987, any county may provide case
management services for children with serious emotional disturbance
pursuant to this chapter. The case management services may include
all of the following:
(a) Development of an individual treatment plan for each child.
The plan shall be collaboratively prepared and reviewed and modified,
if necessary, at least annually, by one representative of the mental
health program, the parents, legal guardian, conservator, or court
appointed social worker or probation officer, and, where appropriate,
the minor.
(b) Assignment of a mental health case manager to each child. The
duties of the mental health case manager may include, but not be
limited to, all of the following:
(1) Coordinating an ecological assessment of the child's needs
which evaluates the child both individually and in relation to his or
her family, school, and community environments.
(2) Developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing each
individual treatment plan that addresses the identified needs.
(3) Linking and arranging or providing for the needed services.
(4) Monitoring the adequacy of the services provided.
(5) Advocating for the minor.

5699.5. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the
use of state funds to provide services under this chapter or to
enforce the provisions of this chapter.