OLYMPIA, Wash., Nov. 16 -- The Washington state Department of Social and Health Services issued the following news release:
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services received a one-year, $800,000 grant to improve mental health services for children across the state. The grant was awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
'We will develop a comprehensive strategic plan to improve, implement, expand and sustain the system of care principles and philosophy, with an emphasis on developing an infrastructure for state-level funding, policy and practice changes'' said David Dickinson, director of the DSHS Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.
A 'system of care' (SOC) is an organizational philosophy and framework that is designed to create a network of effective community-based services and supports to improve the lives of children and youth with, or at risk of, serious mental health conditions and their families. This system can build meaningful partnerships with families and youth, address cultural and linguistic needs, and use evidence-based practices to help children, youth and families function better at home, in school, in the community and throughout life.
The grant will fund strategic planning to expand and sustain the number of jurisdictions and locations in Washington state that adopt an SOC. DSHS will collaborate with state and local child-serving organizations to plan and implement this project. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
David Dickinson, 360/725-3789 , david.dickinson@dshs.wa.gov; Deb Schnellman, 360/725-3763, deb.schnellman@dshs.wa.gov; Kathy Spears, 360/902-7893, kathleen.spears@dshs.wa.gov.
