Ward (SB 107) Act No. 214
New law provides for the Improved Outcomes for At-Risk Youth Act and related legislative
findings.
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.
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 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.
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 new 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.
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.
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 new 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.
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)