6.3 DHSS/CD Service Coordination

“Service Coordination” is assigned by DHSS/SHCN, but may be contracted out.  Service Coordinators case-manage services to families referred by health care providers.  They may also accept families referred by CD staff for care coordination services.  This would include families whom CD staff has identified as needing treatment and who are willing to be referred to DHSS.  CD staff may make referrals to DHSS “Service Coordinators” by referring directly to the local SHCN Service Coordination Regional Office.

Services from DHSS to the family will include a coordination of social services, health care and mental health services.  They will notify CD and DMH within 72 hours and initiate services within the same time frame.  They will complete an assessment and will determine the risk for or existence of CA/N and will make a hotline report if indicated.

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) has developed Comprehensive Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation (CSTAR) programs throughout the state.  The three types of CSTAR programs serve:

• Women and children;
• Adolescents; and
• Adults.

Though women can be served in the adult program, child care services are not available at those programs.  The programs for women and children must provide child care and therapeutic activities for children while the mother participates in treatment.  At those programs, first preference is given to pregnant women, second to women with children, and third to women without children.  CSTAR treatment services are covered by MO HealthNet at all the facilities.

It will be important for CD and DHSS staff to collaborate on new referrals and coordinate service provision.  This may include the initial home assessment to determine the risk for child abuse and neglect and to ascertain the needs of infants and families.