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Frequently Asked Questions

Continuum of Care Reform

CCR includes:

  • Increased engagement with children, youth and families
  • Increased capacity for home-based family care
  • Limited use of congregate care
  • Systemic and infrastructure changes to enhance integrated services

All children and youth will live with committed, permanent and nurturing families in preparation for their successful transition to adulthood. Services and supports to children and youth will be individualized and coordinated. When needed, congregate care will be a short-term, high-quality, intensive intervention.

  • The child, youth and family’s experiences are valued in all aspects of the process, including but not limited to:
    • Assessment
    • Service planning
    • Placement decisions
  • Children should not have to change placements for their needs to be met
  • Multi-agency collaboration and integration of services to improve access and outcomes
  • Recognize the differences and needs of juvenile system involved youth

Group homes are now referred to Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs. A child who cannot be safely placed in a family can receive short-term, residential care with specific care plans and intensive therapeutic interventions and services designed to support the child’s transition to a family.  When needed, congregate care will be a short-term, high-quality, intensive intervention.

The success of CCR is dependent upon all partners, which include but are not limited to the following:

State Agencies:
CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS)
CA Dept. of Health Care Services (DHCS)
CA Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Orange County Agencies
County child welfare (OC Social Services Agency)
County behavioral health (OC Health Care Agency)
County probation (OC Probation Department)
County of education (OC Department of Education)

These partners are committed to performing many responsibilities and elements outlined under CCR and sustaining it for years to come by collaborating effectively through increased coordination in providing each child and family with needed services, resources, and supports, rather than requiring the child, youth, and/or caregivers to navigate multiple governmental service providers.