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1. WHAT IS CASSP IN LANCASTER COUNTY?

Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) is a
philosophy of collaboration and partnership among providers involved with the
child/adolescent.  CASSP was developed to
provide comprehensive mental health care for children, adolescents, and their
families.  This system service model was
established at the federal level to improve treatment and service delivery across
systems for children and adolescents in their communities.  PA implemented the CASSP system in 1986.   

Lancaster County has the following CASSP
activities:

• CASSP Clinic Meetings
• CASSP Policy Meetings
• Case Review Meetings

CASSP is a partnership between the public (tax-funded) agencies that serve children and adolescents. In Lancaster County, six agencies work together in CASSP:

Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities; Children& Youth; Drug & Alcohol Commission; Juvenile Probation; Intermediate Unit #13, and School Districts

2. WHAT IS A CASSP COORDINATOR?

The Lancaster County CASSP Coordinator, an employee of
Lancaster County BH/DS, provides services to other child-serving agencies.

The CASSP Coordinator:  

• Works closely with other child serving agencies
  who are dealing with children’s mental health issues and encourages the
  agencies to plan together
• Assists in the oversight & coordination of
  the delivery of children’s mental health services in Lancaster County
• Participates in interagency service planning
  treatment meeting where out of home treatment is being recommended
• Serves as the County liaison with the behavioral
  health managed care partner (Perform Care)
• Coordinates & facilitates CASSP Meetings/
  CASSP Clinics and Policy Meetings
•  Involved in developing and expanding children’s
  services in cooperation with other child-serving agencies
• Provides technical assistance, consultation, and
  distribution of mental health information

3. WHAT IS A CASSP TEAM MEETING?

CASSP Meetings are a mechanism to help agencies, systems, and schools to determine which avenue to pursue when looking for resources and supports for youth with or at risk of developing severe emotional disorders.  CASSP meetings always include
the youth and their family.

4. WHO ATTENDS A CASSP MEETING?

Family Members, parents, guardians, children/adolescents,
treatment team members, and all identified natural supports are welcome to
participate.  In addition, the CASSP CORE
team members will be in attendance as requested.  

CASSP
CORE TEAM MEMBERS represent the following agencies:   

• Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency
• Lancaster County Behavioral Health &
  Developmental Services
• Lancaster County Juvenile Probation Agency
• Lancaster/ Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13
• Lancaster County Drug & Alcohol Commission
  
  

 

5. WHAT IS CASSP CLINIC?

This clinic is a committee representing each of the five children serving agencies of CASSP. The Clinic meets twice a month to review and make recommendations for children and youth with mental health issues. They review cases for which planning has been difficult.

Agencies who refer a case to the Clinic invite parents and family members, all agencies, school officials, and the youth (if appropriate) to participate in the meeting and planning process.

The focus of the Clinic is to review the strengths and needs of the child and family and recommend or create appropriate services for the child. The Clinic also makes recommendations to the policy committee about services that need to be developed.

In addition to Clinic, the County encourages interagency team meetings. These meetings are considered best practice to develop plans for children with mental health needs and their family.

6. WHEN IS IT TIME FOR A CASSP MEETING?

There is no “right” time for a CASSP Meeting.  CASSP meetings should be utilized as early as
possible for planning regarding a child/adolescent’s mental health needs.  CASSP should be viewed as a proactive
response in planning with other systems to discuss the child/adolescent mental
health needs.  When in doubt, contact the CASSP Coordinator for further discussions to determine the need for a CASSP Meeting.

7. WHAT IS A CASSP MEETING NOT ABLE TO DO?

• Determine medical necessity for mental health treatment services
• Authorize or approve payment for mental health treatment services
• Determine custodial rights, visitation, or court recommendations
• Develop truancy elimination plan

8. IS THERE A COST TO HOST A CASSP MEETING?

No, CASSP meetings are at no cost to children and their families living in Lancaster County.  Meetings can be held for children returning from out of home placement from another county or for planning and collaboration purposes.

9. WHO IS THE CONTACT FOR CASSP IN LANCASTER COUNTY?

Erica M. Scanlon, MSW, LSW
CASSP Coordinator | Children’s Mental Health Services
Lancaster County Behavioral Health & Developmental Services
1120
Frances Ave. | Lancaster, PA 17601
717-735-8949
| Fax: 717-735-8953
scanlone@co.lancaster.pa.us