Monica Davis

Wanted to share the great news: We have a new name! (More details and news on the Press Release available on our Website, click on the link below)

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Earlier this week, we submitted a letter in support of AB 1799, a bill that’s aimed at addressing issues stemming from over-reporting of families, disproportionately affecting families of color, in California's child welfare system. As Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of California Health & Human Services Agency states, “This is not just an average vote that we turn our backs on. This is a vote with a commitment that we all stay involved and support a mindset shift to make this happen.” The changes contained in the bill flow from a set of recommendations recently presented by the Mandated Reporting to Community Supporting (MRCS) Task Force, convened by the Child Welfare Council and led in-part by Dr. Diane Elias, VP of Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs at Children's Institute. Through a rigorous selection process, Dr. Diane Elias was chosen among hundreds of applicants to serve on the task force as the sole Mental Health Representative. Diane continues to play a critical role in this task force by providing a unique perspective as the expert in the mental health field and through this initiative, she is committed to eliminating the Mandate of General Neglect reporting, to prevent further separation of children from their families in unnecessary circumstances where poverty is the main condition. Diane states, “I am passionate about mitigating the lifelong trauma that happens from separating families because of over-reporting, as a result of structural racism embedded into our child and family systems. The goal should be to create pathways for community resources and supports with a commitment to seeing communities keep their children safe and families together.” At Children's Institute, we have always believed that change is possible when we lean on our expertise in close partnership with the community. We hope that this is the first of many positive changes to ultimately provide lasting pathways to economic mobility and lifelong health to our children and families. For more information on the full list of recommendations, please view here: https://lnkd.in/gGs_StjW

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Support AB 2496: Protect California’s Foster Family Agencies and Children AB 2496 is crucial to prevent the shutdown of California’s foster family agencies and to protect 9,000 children in safe, stable family homes. This bill ensures the continued support and operation of these essential services by addressing key issues: 1️⃣ FFAs aren't held responsible for unforeseeable harms. 2️⃣ FFAs meeting state licensing laws aren't held to different court standards. 3️⃣ FFAs aren't liable for others' negligence. 4️⃣ FFAs have enough time to evaluate claims. Let's stand together to protect our children and maintain the integrity of our foster care system. Learn more and download the fact sheet here: https://lnkd.in/g7pnfwNy #AB2496 #FosterCare #SupportFFAs #ProtectOurChildren #CaliforniaLegislation

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Need Law and Ethics CEUs? The NASW SoCal Social Work Women's Council is hosting a virtual workshop on 5/10 & 5/17 titled, "Is Legal Always Ethical? Mobilizing Systems and Taking Creative Action." Attendees can earn 6 CEUs for $40 ($35 for early bird registration)! Register here: https://lnkd.in/etg6M5kc As social workers who relentlessly pursue social justice, we explore alternate perspectives for viewing the world, our clients and ourselves. Simultaneously we consider the laws and regulations which define the scope of our work and the unspoken biases that determine options and outcomes. This two-session workshop will address these concerns.

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Out of all the systems I have seen and worked with since I’ve entered into public children’s mental health services, the education system has been the most shocking in Santa Clara County. Why do school districts (one in particular), roadblock access to accurate and effective accommodations through 504 and IEP’s to address children’s needs? I hear so much talk about proactive services directed towards helping children with mental health, yet if a family does not have an advocate and they are dealing with the school system, often times within Santa Clara County, they will NOT recieve an accurate assessment and then are often denied a 504 or IEP. I am seeing this with children who are struggling with severe mental health symptoms. It blows my mind. There are so many families I work with, whose caregivers attempted to get assessments done when their children were younger but were either ignored, or the child’s symptoms were minimized by the school. And then a few years later these same kids are dropping out, they are involved in the juvenile justice system, they are joining gangs and committing crimes, they have severe mental health symptoms, and struggle deeply with self-confidence and a belief in themselves. And why wouldn’t they? These kids have been told that they are bad or lazy or a disruption or defiant, when in actually they’re dealing with trauma. So many of these kids are dealing with generational trauma, various forms of systemic racism and the ripple effects of budget cuts to education that lead to school districts not having the resources to follow through on accurate IEP’s with affective accommodations. In my profession, I have sat in disbelief as I’ve watched schools bully and intimidate caregivers, silence them with jargon, and then ask for signatures despite parents disagreeing on the school’s findings. Where do the UCP complaints go? Where is the accountability for these school districts? Why is it kids of color seem to get these watered down accommodations (IF they even are lucky enough to qualify despite their struggles)? And then we wonder why crime is on the rise. We wonder why gang involvement is increasing. We wonder why poverty is increasing. Why adult mental health and homelessness is increasing! Children spend a good majority of their lives at school. If they are in environments that are not supporting them, are not upholding California state laws, are denying disabilities and turning a blind eye to active discrimination, how are all the public policies to address homeless, poverty, substance use, mental health going to work sustainably? I’ll tell you what, they won’t! This really really bothers me. And if you care at all about the children in our communities, or the future of our communities, it should bother you too!!

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The California Alliance of Child & Family Services represents over 165 nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving vulnerable children, youth, and families. ***We are deeply concerned about the CDSS Rate Reform proposal outlined in the May budget Trailer Bill*** Without proper review and adjustments, this proposal will negatively impact foster youth and the organizations that support them. We urge our lawmakers to: -Require a comprehensive review of the proposal and gather feedback from stakeholders in January 2025. -Analyze and adjust funding within the Tiers to meet the true costs of Foster Family Agencies (FFAs) and Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs). -Develop a process to optimize Medi-Cal funding for foster youth services. -Reduce administrative burdens on service providers. -Include an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) on the administrative component of the rate. -The administrative rates for both STRTPs and FFAs, as well as the care and supervision rates for STRTPs, must be increased to ensure that these programs can continue to meet the needs of the children and families they serve. Our children and families deserve better. Let's work together to ensure their needs are met. Caroline Menjivar Corey Jackson, DSW, MSW Scott Wiener Jesse Gabriel

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The California State Legislature through Assembly Bill 988 (AB988) has directed the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) to develop a five-year implementation plan for a comprehensive 988 system. 9-8-8 is a universal entry point that help seekers can call or text for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. CalHHS contracted Health Management Associates (HMA) to support this effort. Central to this work is hearing directly from individuals and families who have personal experience with California’s behavioral health crisis services and systems or who may be at greater risk of engaging with the system (e.g., individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance misuse challenges). We are especially interested in those who have called the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or who have experienced a behavioral health crisis event and sought assistance. The survey should take no more than 5 – 10 minutes to complete. All responses will be anonymous. The first 200 individuals who complete the survey* will receive a $15 online Amazon gift card.   Survey Link: https://lnkd.in/eBGCWu3f The survey will ask about your interest in participating in a 90-minute virtual focus group to talk more about your experiences with the crisis system.** Focus group participation is optional and selections will be made the week after the survey closes. Focus group participants who are selected will receive an additional $75 gift card for their time.  *Note: To receive the gift card, respondents will need to provide their email address so that the card can be administered. **Expressing interest does not guarantee that you will be asked to participate in a focus group. HMA may contact you if you express interest in participating in a focus group.

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The California State Legislature through Assembly Bill 988 (AB988) has directed the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) to develop a five-year implementation plan for a comprehensive 988 system. 9-8-8 is a universal entry point that help seekers can call or text for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. CalHHS contracted Health Management Associates (HMA) to support this effort. Central to this work is hearing directly from individuals and families who have personal experience with California’s behavioral health crisis services and systems or who may be at greater risk of engaging with the system (e.g., individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance misuse challenges). We are especially interested in those who have called the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or who have experienced a behavioral health crisis event and sought assistance. The survey should take no more than 5 – 10 minutes to complete. All responses will be anonymous. The first 200 individuals who complete the survey* will receive a $15 online Amazon gift card.   Survey Link: https://lnkd.in/eBGCWu3f The survey will ask about your interest in participating in a 90-minute virtual focus group to talk more about your experiences with the crisis system.** Focus group participation is optional and selections will be made the week after the survey closes. Focus group participants who are selected will receive an additional $75 gift card for their time.  *Note: To receive the gift card, respondents will need to provide their email address so that the card can be administered. **Expressing interest does not guarantee that you will be asked to participate in a focus group. HMA may contact you if you express interest in participating in a focus group.

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Attention #socialwork colleagues and #msw and #bsw #classof2024 if you have not already I encourage you to get to know The Network for Social Work Management. Relationship are transformational in life and work. #buildcommunity and activate your potential to flourish in life and work. #professionaldevelopment

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Excellent, concrete and actionable information about how health systems and homeless response systems can coordinate efforts. Worth the deep dive and lots of good tools.

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Mental health matters. California is doing more to make sure people can get the help they need. Check out the launch of this new, one-stop website for people seeking mental health resources and learn more about the ongoing transformation of CA's behavioral health system. Such incredible work!

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Support the San Diego Flood Recovery Fund Your donation assists San Diegans affected by the January 22, 2024 floods with long-term recovery. Long-Term Recovery In partnership with the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, the San Diego Flood Recovery Fund assists San Diegans affected by the January 22, 2024 floods with long-term recovery. Funds will be used to assist with home repairs, unmet needs, and program operation costs, providing temporary housing for those whose homes are uninhabitable. The money raised will be given to San Diego Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) which has been actively supporting flood survivors since early February 2024. To date, VOAD’s efforts have restored hundreds of homes to be safe and habitable. For questions about the San Diego County Flood Recovery Fund, please contact Valerie Brown, Chair, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), San Diego at admin@communityrecoveryteam.org.

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**Statement on Proposed Cuts to the California State Budget** The Whole Child is deeply troubled by proposed cuts in funding to the Bringing Families Home and CalWORKs Home Visiting programs, among other vital initiatives. These programs are pillars of support for families experiencing homelessness and prevention of children suffering abuse and neglect. Cutting these essential programs in such a manner is shortsighted and severely detrimental to millions of children in the State of California. The Bringing Families Home Program provides housing-related support to eligible families involved in the child welfare system and experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Thousands of clients of The Whole Child have been helped by this program over the years and are now housed, thriving, and providing stable homes for their children that allow them to grow up healthy, emotionally supported, and strong. Cutting this imperative program by $80 million will result in catastrophe for thousands of children in our own region of Los Angeles County. The CalWORKs Home Visiting program prevents the root causes of neglect and abuse of children: home educators provide vital resources, education, and tools to help parents develop healthy relationships with their children and to foster supportive growth environments. By slashing this program in half, the State of California is abandoning its commitment to supporting children from its most vulnerable communities. Cutting funding for homeless programs and failing to provide resources for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) is a huge blow to the front line workers of the homelessness crisis and to the families affected every day by the rising costs of housing in our state. Without HHAP funding, local communities will be forced to end rental subsidies, close shelters, and discontinue other important homeless services. Fewer people will be placed in housing and unsheltered homelessness will increase in all of our districts. These impacts will be felt by the most marginalized Californians: older adults, people with disabilities, foster youth. The Whole Child's leadership, our staff, and our clients are dismayed to see the State of California abdicate its responsibilities to California’s citizens most in need. We implore you to stand with us in rejecting these cuts to the state budget and reinstate a commitment to helping families not only escape crisis but thrive in spite of it. We know that our supporters care deeply about the millions of children who represent the future of our communities. We urge you to contact your representatives - and the representatives listed in the first comment - to ask them to reinstate full funding of these indispensable programs and oppose any attempt to cut them out of California’s budget. Our collective vision for a successful state cannot possibly be realized without supporting our children and families in need.

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For #mentalhealthawarenessmonth we recognize the overlap between financial health and mental health. When it comes to your health - your feelings are real. If you live in Pierce County 988 is the suicide hotline, reach out.

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San Diego’s senior population is set to increase in the coming years, raising concerns for those who don’t have the support of close family, also known as elder orphans. In the next 10 years, adults over 65 will outnumber children under 18 for the first time in United States history, according to Census Bureau data. San Diego County’s senior population is projected to grow by more than 21% during that time. This is a growing concern for elder orphans. “When you get older, the risk factors for becoming more likely to be isolated or alone, are increased. You’re more likely to lose family and friends and significant others as they pass away. You’re more likely to become more frail and less mobile,” said Ellen Lee, MD, geriatric psychiatrist at UC San Diego Health. "It is challenging for clinicians to identify these individuals, making it difficult to manage the complexities involved in delivering care, especially if they don’t volunteer the information." Our senior medicine program is ranked among the nation's top 20 programs for geriatric care by U.S. News & World Report, learn more: https://lnkd.in/gbDdxA-P #Geriatrics #UCSanDiegoHealth #SanDiego

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