System of care for children's mental health

We are transforming the children's mental health system in Hennepin County with System of Care values. Youth and families are at the center, with services and supports built around key principles.

Systems of Care are a national best practice. They are coordinated, integrated, and focused on supporting youth and families. The goal is to provide the right service, at the right time and with the right intensity.

About System of Care

Values and principles

Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health is using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) System of Care values and principles:

• Culturally responsive
• Integrated
• Data informed
• Trauma informed
• Engaged with the community

We are working to embed these values and principles in all child-serving systems. In a System of Care, the youth and family are at the center of service delivery and system operation. This approach addresses the immediate needs of the youth and family, while building their capacity to thrive.

Governance

In a System of Care, shared governance with parents/caregivers and youth plays a critical role. Governance guides decision-making, resource allocation, and policy development within the system.

Clear roles, responsibilities, and communication channels facilitate collaboration. Partners include government agencies, service providers, community organizations, and families.

Effective governance empowers us to work together toward a common vision.

Learn more

System of Care March 2024 presentation (PDF, 3MB)

Service pillars

There are three System of Care service pillars in Hennepin County:

• Family Response and Stabilization Services
• High-Fidelity Wraparound
• Service continuum

Family Response and Stabilization Service

Family Response provides two levels of services to support parents/caregivers during a time of stress or crisis.

• Face-to-face response within one hour of a call and support for up to 72 hours
• If a family needs support past the initial 72 hours, stabilization services are available for up to eight weeks

Family response and stabilization

High-Fidelity Wraparound

An evidence-based care coordination/case management service model that:

• Builds on strengths and culture to address family needs and meet their goals and vision
• Works to increase caregiver and family capacity
• Develops the youth and family support network
• Helps connect the youth and parent/caregiver to support and services aimed at keeping, or returning, a youth to their family and community

More about High-Fidelity Wraparound (PDF, 1MB)

Service continuum

A robust service continuum is a key component of System of Care. The continuum ranges from assessment and early intervention to more intensive treatment placement.

This also includes infrastructure (including financing and policy) to decrease barriers to access. We want to increase opportunities for youth and families to access the right service, at the right time, for the right duration.

For partners

Building a System of Care takes collaboration across service providers and all areas of child-serving systems.

What you can do

While many aspects of this change require large scale shifts, there are also things that you can do today to align with System of Care:

• Ask yourself and your colleagues “What does the youth want? What does the family want?” before making decisions or giving recommendations
• Think about who benefits from and who is burdened by decisions
• Change your language and how you talk about youth, families, and services
• Reflect on how you can combat – and not perpetuate – the stigma of mental health and substance use

Provider handout: Opportunities for change (PDF, 1MB)

For parents and caregivers

Navigating systems can be complicated and frustrating for parents and caregivers. We are working to change that.

Help improve services

Connect with other parents and caregivers and have a voice in promoting a high-quality children’s mental health system.

Join the Parent Catalyst Leadership Group – Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative

Immediate, in-person support

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your child's mental, behavioral, or emotional needs? Family Response offers immediate in-person support and stabilization for children and youth (ages birth to 18) and their parents/caregivers. 

Call Family Response

• 612-979-9511
• Available 24/7

Family response and stabilization

Addressing your child’s mental health needs

Call Hennepin County Front Door at 612-348-4111 or email at socialservices@hennepin.us.

We can speak with you about options for helping your child including:

• Getting your child assessed for their mental health needs
• Helping identify options regardless of your insurance coverage or ability to pay
• Options for ongoing support, including high-fidelity wraparound case management

Understanding residential treatment

Overview of residential treatment for families and caregivers (PDF, 1 MB)