In existence since 1993, and governed by the Governor's Children's Cabinet under the Ohio Department of Children & Youth,  the purpose of the Family & Children First Council (FCFC) is to streamline and coordinate existing publicly funded services to help families seeking assistance for their children. This initiative is a partnership of government agencies and community organizations committed to improving the well-being of children and their families. We evaluate and prioritize services, fill service gaps where possible, invent new approaches to achieve better results, and ensure ongoing input from a broad representation of the community. In Huron County, we offer the following supports for multi-system youth and their families. 

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SERVICE COORDINATION

Basic Service Coordination:

A process where immediate daily living needs are identified and resources are provided by the Service Coordinator to assist with those needs. The process encourages them to make helpful, caring connections in the community. 

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Team-Based Service Coordination:  

A process which develops and carries out plans for children, individuals, and their families who have complex needs or need immediate assistance to identify resources for daily living needs. Families who have used traditional services may find Team-Based Service Coordination helpful because it brings all supporting agencies together to assist the family.  The Services Coordination process ensures that services are focused on the needs of the individual and his or her family by making referrals to appropriate agencies and aligning services/community supports.  

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HIGH-FIDELITY WRAPAROUND

The wraparound process is a way to improve the lives of children with complex needs or Multi-System Youth (MSY) and are typically involved with multiple agencies within the county for supports and services (DJFS/MHAS/Behavioral Health/School Intervention/Juvenile Court, etc.).  It is not a program or a type of service, but a team-based planning process used to develop plans of care that are individualized, and based on the strengths and culture of the children and their family. 

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The plan is NEEDS-DRIVEN rather than service-driven, and includes a team of people that support the youth, including formal (professionals) and informal (family & community members) supports. 

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MEDICAID ELIGIBLE YOUTH

Plan Overview | OhioRISE - Aetna Better Health

If a referral is received for a multi-system youth that is or may be eligible for Medicaid, the family will be encouraged to work with Harbor (Care Management Entity) for Care Coordination. In doing so, the youth will be able to utilize services through the OhioRISE benefits package to support their needs and goals. Care Coordination is similar to Service Coordination and High-Fidelity Wraparound in that it is a planning process that involves identifying the youth and family strengths and utilizing a team approach with formal supports to create one Plan of Care and move the youth towards positive change, decreasing the likelihood that the youth will have to leave home for residential treatment or due to custody relinquishment. 

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Regardless of their insurance provider, families are able to choose which agency they work with. Both agencies support the families right for VOICE & CHOICE when it comes to support for their youth. 

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