CASSP
Child and Adolescent Service
System Program
WHAT IN
THE WORLD
IS CASSP?
(and what can
it do for me?)
(814) 726-2100
What is CASSP and Who is it For?
CASSP is an acronym that stands for Child and Adolescent
Service System Program. CASSP is a
comprehensive mental health service system for children, adolescents and their
families. If your child or teenager or
someone you know is having emotional problems or has been diagnosed with a
severe emotional disturbance he or she may be eligible for CASSP services. CASSP services are free and help children and
adolescents and their families gain access to a variety of mental health,
educational, family support and other related services.
Why is CASSP Comprehensive?
CASSP
is “comprehensive” because it works across different agencies to coordinate
services. Say a child is having problems
at school and with the juvenile justice system, and has emotional problems,
CASSP can bring together those who are directly involved in the child’s life to
create a plan that meets the child’s needs in each area of his or her
life. Families are encouraged to have
anyone they see as a support participate in the meeting.
How
CASSP Works.
When a
child is identified as having mental health needs and requires other services
as well (like education), a CASSP interagency team meets to discuss the options
for treatment, care and support. The
team is lead by the CASSP coordinator and it consists of the parents, advocates
and other key people in the child’s life including professionals and others the
parents may choose.
How
Do I Get Started With CASSP?
You
will need to fill out a CASSP referral form.
Forms may be obtained at the child’s school or by calling the CASSP
coordinator at (814) 726-8434. If you
need help completing the referral form, contact the school counselor or the
CASSP coordinator. Mail the completed
form to the CASSP Office at
What
Services Can CASSP Help Me Access?
CASSP
is used to gain access to mental health residential treatment services (RTF)
and “wrap around” services, which include therapeutic staff support (TSS),
mobile therapy and behavioral specialist consultant. These services can only be paid for through
medical assistance (MA) and MA regulations require that a CASSP meeting is
held. CASSP may also be used to access
services through Family Based Mental Health, Family Preservation, Mental
Retardation, Early Intervention, Student Assistance programs and case
management services.
How
Did CASSP Come Into Existence?
CASSP
was first established by federal regulations in 1984 when Congress became aware
that many children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance were not
receiving appropriate services and were “falling through the cracks”. The federal government enacted legislation
that funded states to develop a system and encourage coordination between child
serving systems. The Pennsylvania
Department of Public Welfare (DPW) has a state CASSP Advisory Committee made up
of parents, advocates, service providers, mental health professionals and
The
6 CASSP Principles:
Child Centered –
services are developmentally appropriate, strength based, child specific and
meet the individual needs of the child.
Family Focused – services
recognize that the family is a primary support system for the child and that
the family participates as a full partner in all stages of decision making and
treatment planning for their child and family.
Community Based –
whenever possible services are delivered in the child’s community and draw on
formal and informal resources of the child and family such as social,
religious, and cultural organizations as well as other community supports.
Multi-System –
services are planned in collaboration with all child-serving systems involved
in the child’s life.
Culturally Competent
– services recognize and respect the behavior, ideas, attitudes, values,
beliefs, customs, languages, rituals, and practices characteristic to the
family’s cultural group.
Least Restrictive/Least Intrusive – services take place that are most appropriate and
natural to the child and family and are the least restrictive and intrusive
available to meet the needs of the child and family.
Local
CASSP Contacts and Others Who Can Help
MHANP
(Mental Health Association of
Other
Agencies and Websites That Can Help
1-215-238-6970
Email: elc@elc/pa.org
1-800-875-8887
Email: rschwartz@jlc.org (legal information)
OMHSAS
(Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services)
Toll Free Information/Referral Line
1-877-356-5355
Parent
Education Network
1-800-522-5827
Email: pen.parent@net.org
Pennsylvania
Department of Education Consult Line
1-800-879-2301
(Questions about special education)
Federation
of Families for Children’s Mental Health
1-703-836-1040
Email: ffcmh@ffcmh.org
National
1-800-950-6264
National
Mental Health Association
1-800-969-6642
(Information and Referral)