Enhancing school performance of youth with severe emotional disorder: Initial results from system of care research in three California counties.

Abstract

This paper presents initial school attendance and educational achievement results from youth with severe emotional disturbance who were served in innovative systems of care. These school performance findings are from an evaluation of efforts in three California counties to implement the California System of Care Model. The development of the innovative California System of Care Model was pioneered in Ventura County, California, and the replications were legislatively enabled through AB 377 (California Assembly Bill 377). One of the important care system goals is to enhance school attendance and educational achievement of youth with severe emotional disorder. The results illustrate that youth enrolled in specialized school-mental health programs are showing improvements in achievement test scores in two of the counties. In the third county, only a subgroup of the youth are showing improvements in achievement test scores. Attendance in these programs in all three counties is high. These findings are interpreted within the context of the four major demonstration goals and other information about the counties and the youth enrolled in the systems of care.

Improving Outcomes for at-risk Youth: Findings from the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program

“…There is fairly substantial support in the literature suggesting that a reduction in such symptoms enable the adolescent to more fully participate in school and related activities (Atkisson & Rosenblatt, 2006;Lembke & Stichter, 2006). The similar relationship with behavioral dysregulation, as measured through the BDS, further supports the improvement of academic confidence with the decrease in mental health issues.…”

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“…Systems of care models have been implemented that include strong case management programs, and these programs have shown much improvement for children as compared with those same children before entering the program. Attkisson and Rosenblatt (1993) reported improved school performance in three California counties. Stroul (1993) summarized gains and cost savings of a number of system of care projects.…”