The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Julie J. Baxter.
DIGEST
Ward (SB 107)
Proposed law provides for the Improved Outcomes for At-Risk Youth Act and related legislative
findings.
Proposed law creates the Integrated Case Management Planning System as a single, targeted case
management system to better track "crossover youths" who are in need of mental health services
or have experienced involvement in the child welfare system.
Proposed law provides that the deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and
Correction, Youth Services, Office of Juvenile Justice and the secretary of the Department of
Children and Family Services shall evaluate programs to be included in the Integrated Case
Management System. Further provides that programs and services to be evaluated for inclusion
in the Integrated Case Management System shall include but are not limited to:
(1)Truancy and Assessment and Service Centers.
(2)Families in Need of Services.
(3)The Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership, including the Coordinated System of Care.
(4) Child welfare programs.
(5)Education and workforce training programs.
(6)Juvenile probation and parole services.
(7) Non-secure and secure out-of-home placements.
(8)Any other program or service identified for inclusion.
Proposed law provides that, in order to facilitate the development of a complete continuum of
care for at-risk youths, these departments shall:
(1)Develop an outline for the creation of and transition to an integrated case management
system focusing on the behavioral health, rehabilitative, and educational needs of youths
who are at-risk for involvement, currently involved or exiting the juvenile justice and
child welfare system. (2)Identify the prevalence of youths served by multiple systems.
(3)Identify opportunities to more efficiently and effectively deliver programs and services to
at-risk youths across all systems of care focusing on: prevention, early intervention,
treatment and rehabilitation, continuity of education and workforce training, and re-
introduction into the community.
(4)Develop mechanisms to leverage available state and federal funds for the purposes of
proposed law.
(5)Establish a timeline for the creation and implementation of the integrated case
management system providing for such system to be fully operational no later than July 1,
2015.
Proposed law provides that the departments shall submit their recommendations formulated by
the impacted agencies to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission for
review and comment by the commission.
Proposed law provides that, not later than 30 calendar days prior to the convening of the 2014
regular session of the legislature, the departments shall jointly submit a summary report to the
legislature discussing actions taken pursuant to proposed law. Further provides that such report
shall include but not be limited to any recommendations for changes in laws or administrative
regulations or policies necessary for proper implementation of the integrated case management
system.
Proposed law provides that, not later than July 1, 2014, the departments shall jointly submit a
written report to the legislature outlining the timelines and process by which implementation of
an integrated case management system for at-risk youths shall be completed and the system fully
operational not later than July 1, 2015.
Effective August 1, 2013.
(Adds R.S. 46:2758 – 2758.2)