Chapter 2.7 - Case Management for Children With Serious Emotional Disturbance

California Welfare and Institutions Code — §§ 5699-5699.5

Sections (6)

Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 144, Sec. 103. (AB 1847) Effective January 1, 2015.

(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1)That mental health case management services required for children with serious emotional disturbance are different than these services for clients with mental health disorders described in Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 5670).

(2)That mental health case management services for children with serious emotional disturbance are not defined in statute.

(3)That the development of mental health case management for these children would ensure comprehensive appraisal and utilization of the most appropriate resources within the

children’s environment, as well as the maintenance and strengthening of family ties.

(b)It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the development of mental health case management services for children with serious emotional disturbance who are separated or at risk of being separated from their families and require mental health treatment, to the extent resources are available. It is further the intent of the Legislature that mental health case management for children with serious emotional disturbance in this state be developed in accordance with the definitions and guidelines contained in this chapter.

§ 5699.1

Added by renumbering Section 5692.5 (as renumbered from 5678.1 by Stats. 1991, Ch. 89) by Stats. 1991, Ch. 611, Sec. 51. Effective October 7, 1991.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this article govern the construction of this chapter.

§ 5699.2

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 948, Sec. 40. (AB 2119) Effective January 1, 2025.

Children identified for case management services under this section shall be minors under 18 years of age described in Section 5600.3 with serious emotional disturbance and who also meet one or more of the following criteria:

(a)A child who is a ward or dependent of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 300, 601, or 602 and is placed out-of-home.

(b)A child who is a special education pupil defined in paragraph 8 of subdivision (b) of Section 300.5 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations and is receiving residential care pursuant to an individual educational program. This section also includes

special education pupils through age 21 identified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 56026 of the Education Code.

(c)An inpatient in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric health facility, or residential treatment facility receiving services either on a voluntary or involuntary basis.

(d)An outpatient receiving intensive non-24-hour mental health treatment, such as day treatment or crisis services who is “at risk” of psychiatric hospitalization or out-of-home placement for residential treatment.

§ 5699.3

Added by renumbering Section 5699.1 (as renumbered from 5678.3 by Stats. 1991, Ch. 89) by Stats. 1991, Ch. 611, Sec. 54. Effective October 7, 1991.

“Individual treatment plan” means a plan that includes all of the following:

(a)An assessment of the minor’s specific capabilities and problems.

(b)A statement of specific, time-limited objectives for improving the capabilities and resolving the problems. The objectives shall be stated in measurable terms which allow measurement of progress.

(c)A schedule of the type and amount of services to achieve treatment plan objectives, including identification of the provider or providers of service responsible for attaining each objective.

(d)A schedule of regular periodic review and reassessment to ascertain that planned services have been provided and that objectives have been reached within the times specified.

§ 5699.4

Added by renumbering Section 5699.2 (as renumbered from 5678.5 by Stats. 1991, Ch. 89) by Stats. 1991, Ch. 611, Sec. 55. Effective October 7, 1991.

On and after January 1, 1987, any county may provide case management services for children with serious emotional disturbance pursuant to this chapter. The case management services may include all of the following:

(a)Development of an individual treatment plan for each child. The plan shall be collaboratively prepared and reviewed and modified, if necessary, at least annually, by one representative of the mental health program, the parents, legal guardian, conservator, or court appointed social worker or probation officer, and, where appropriate, the minor.

(b)Assignment of a mental health case manager to each child. The duties of the mental health case manager may include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1)Coordinating an ecological assessment of the child’s needs which evaluates the child both individually and in relation to his or her family, school, and community environments.

(2)Developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing each individual treatment plan that addresses the identified needs.

(3)Linking and arranging or providing for the needed services.

(4)Monitoring the adequacy of the services provided.

(5)Advocating for the minor.

§ 5699.5

Added by renumbering Section 5678.6 by Stats. 1991, Ch. 89, Sec. 141. Effective June 30, 1991.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the use of state funds to provide services under this chapter or to enforce the provisions of this chapter.