Partnering for Excellence

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Partnering for Excellence (PFE) is an initiative to improve the behavioral health and well-being outcomes for children served by Rowan County’s child welfare system. Through a partnership between Rowan County Department of Social Services and Cardinal Innovations Health Care Solutions (Medicaid Managed Care Organization), the PFE Initiative ensures that children between the ages of 5 – 18 who receive DSS In-Home Services or Foster Care Services: • Are screened for psychological trauma • Receive timely, trauma-informed comprehensive clinical assessments • Receive trauma-focused, evidence-based behavioral health treatment • Have DSS social workers, Care Coordinators, behavioral health clinicians, and school staff who communicate with each other about the child’s plan. To achieve these goals, Rowan County DSS and Cardinal Innovations instituted practice, policy and funding changes. They partnered with behavioral health providers to ensure that the target population receives these outlined services in a timely and coordinated manner. These providers have demonstrated a commitment to high quality services, fidelity to identified models of care, and effective communication and care management with DSS, Cardinal Innovations, and other System of Care stakeholders. Outcomes: The need for higher end and more restrictive placements has been reduced, children are receiving diagnoses that recognize their trauma instead of pathologizing their behaviors, and 20% more children are receiving services with a simultaneous reduction in Medicaid costs.