Utilizing California State Data to Enhance Care for Foster Youth

In the journey to enhance the Continuum of Care for children in out-of-home settings, it’s crucial to leverage existing data sources to understand the current capacity. This approach will inform the identification of potential needs or gaps in systems, services, or placements. The State Technical Assistance (TA) Team has pinpointed a variety of state data sources that will be instrumental in this process. Here’s an overview of these sources:

California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

CDSS provides a wealth of administrative data crucial for assessing the landscape of community care facilities and foster care placements:

• Licensed Community Care Facilities: This data includes the number and capacity of licensed facilities.
• Current Placement Data: Information on children currently placed in these facilities.
• Supportive Services Data: Data from the Child Welfare Services/Case Management System.
• Child Adolescent Needs and Services (CANS) Data: Assessment data reflecting the needs and services for children.
• Mental Health Services Referral Data: Data on child welfare screening and subsequent referral for mental health services.
• Probation Youth Data: Information on probation youth previously served in child welfare.
• California Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Data: Case review data.
• Structured Decision Making (SDM) Data: Tools and data used for decision-making processes.
• CalWORKs Data: Information on services and supports provided through CalWORKs.

Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

DDS offers data on facilities and services for individuals with developmental disabilities:

• DDS Operated Facilities Data: Data on facilities directly operated by DDS.
• Regional Center Vendored Residential Care Data: Information on residential care settings operated by regional centers.
• Supportive Services Claims Data: Claims data for services provided or contracted by regional centers.

Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)

DHCS data is essential for understanding the utilization of health and mental health services:

• Penetration and Engagement Rates for Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS): Data on the utilization of mental health services.
• Penetration and Engagement Rates for DMC/DMC-ODS Services: Data on the utilization of substance use disorder services.
• SMHS Claims Data: Claims data related to specialty mental health services.
• Child Adolescent Needs and Services (CANS) Data: Needs assessment data for children and adolescents.
• Pediatric Symptoms Checklist (PSC-35) Data: Data on pediatric symptoms.
• California Children’s Services Program Data: Information on services provided under this program.
• Psychiatric Health Facilities Claims Data: Claims data for psychiatric health facilities and acute psychiatric inpatient services.
• Crisis Services Claims Data: Information on the utilization of crisis services.
• Planned Services Claims Data: Data on follow-up services after a crisis.
• SUD Services Claims Data: Claims and/or CalOMS data for substance use disorder services.
• Medi-Cal Services Data: Data on Medi-Cal services provided through managed care plans or fee-for-service providers.
• Pharmacy Data: Information on prescription medications.
• Unapproved Claims Data: Data on claims that were not approved.
• MCP Referral Rates to County MHPs: Data on referral rates by managed care plans to county mental health plans.
• MCP Referral Rates to DMC/DMC-ODS Programs: Data on referrals to substance use disorder programs.
• MHSA Programs and Services Data: Information on programs and services funded by MHSA.
• LEA Medi-Cal Billing Option Program (BOP) Data: Data on services billed through this program.
• School-Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (SMAA) Data: Information on administrative activities billed through Medi-Cal.

California Department of Education (CDE)

CDE provides crucial data on the educational outcomes and attendance of foster youth:

• High School Completion and College Data: Graduation and dropout rates, other high school completion types, and college-going rates.
• Attendance and Enrollment Data: Chronic absence rates, foster match rates by county, and enrollment data for foster youth.
• Academic Achievement Data: CAASPP scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
• School Climate Data: Suspension and expulsion rates and counts, and suspension by most serious offense.
• Foster Youth Data Liaison: Data matching efforts and collaboration with CDSS.
• AB 114-Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) Data: Information on mental health services provided under AB 114.

Conclusion

By utilizing these comprehensive data sources, we can better understand the current capacity and identify areas that need improvement or additional support within the Continuum of Care for children in out-of-home settings. These insights will guide the development of targeted strategies to ensure that all children receive the care and support they need to thrive.

Stay tuned for more updates and detailed analyses as we progress through the phases of this critical initiative.

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