Site developed by:
Benjamin Porter
Last Update: March, 2002

Initiatives Cont.

Targeted Initiatives

In addition to the four priority areas, SRFC identified, the need for ready-access services which address immediate gaps and barriers children and families are experiencing. These gaps were identified by schools and service providers in the community who were seeing increased numbers of families in crisis situations, and recognizing there were not enough resources to respond to them. To address these issues, four targeted initiatives were identified to infuse resources into the community on an immediate basis.

Mental Health Service Integration Pilot
It is important that collaboratives collaborate. That is why the SRFC Joint Powers Board recommended SRFC work more closely with the Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative to better coordinate services between the collaboratives and identify gap areas in Suburban Ramsey County that need collective attention. The group's collective focus will be on addressing how families and practitioners can better access the resources available to them in Suburban Ramsey County.

School-Linked Intensive Mental Health Team
helps us all to include support for children and families struggling with mental health concerns, in everything we do. Three community based agencies: Family Service, Inc., Northwest Youth and Family Services, and White Bear Lake Community Counseling Center are offering intensive and comprehensive mental health assessment services and support to families at risk of out-of-home placement within the four public school district communities. By having access to mental health counselors at our schools, we will hopefully be able to raise awareness of the growing need for more community mental health resource support, and team with additional services and the Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative to continue building on our efforts.

Integrated Case Management Pilot
provides Mental Health Case Managers in the schools to respond to the needs of families who become eligible for county mental health services. The plan is to share Case Managers between the county and schools, so as to leverage human, financial and in-kind support for children and families and serve more kids. The Integrated Case Management services will begin piloting this effort in the summer of 2001 and beyond.

School District Identified Priority Funding

Each school district has identified their own resource needs that support wellness, learning, safety and security for children and youth experiencing at-risk circumstances. In response, SRFC earmarked funds for each district to address the gaps students and families in that district are experiencing. Following is a list of priorities identified by eac h district.

ISD 621 (Mounds View) - Arden Manor Summer Program, Kindergarten Camp at Bel Air Elementary School, Family Learning Program, and an ECFE class for Young Parents.

ISD 622 (North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale) - Community Support Services, FAST Program, SMART, and School Readiness/ESL programs.

ISD 623 (Roseville) Additional School Readiness, After School/Summer Activities, Family Learning Program, Parent Education and Transportation.

ISD 624 (White Bear Lake) - After School / Summer programs for youth, Additional School Readiness, Adult Learners, and Targeted Services in Literacy and Math and English
Language Learner Homework Help.

The Community Social Workers Targeted Initiative (CSW)

The CSW's provide comprehensive case management services for children / youth and their families within existing systems of care. The goal of this targeted initiative is to connect children and families experiencing isolation and disconnection from family, school or community with beneficial support services from agencies and school districts. Seven CSW's are available through three access points: Each of the four suburban public school districts, the two Suburban Ramsey County Work Resource Hubs, Maple Pond and Polynesian Village Apartment Complexes.