The Children’s Mental Health Collaborative (CMHC) is pleased to begin its efforts to implement a System of Care in Hennepin County. A system of care is defined as “a spectrum of effective, community-based services and supports for children and youth with or at risk for mental health and related challenges and their families that is organized into a coordinated network, builds meaningful partnerships with families and youth, and addresses their cultural and linguistic needs in order to help them to function better at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.”

The CMHC provides a forum for a diverse and representative group of system stakeholders to influence the development and ongoing operation of accessible and effective children’s mental health service system throughout Hennepin County. We are using system of care values (family and youth centered children’s mental health services, prevention focused services, coordination across the CMH system, etc.) to inform our planning work. The CMHC will begin a five-year process, focusing each year on achieving key deliverables through family and youth engagement and data-driven decision making in partnership with other entities working in the children’s mental health system/field.

Below is a view of the planning process and considerations of the Governance Committee as well as descriptions of the key areas of work in 2021; 1) Governance & Structure of the CMHC, 2) Engagement of families, youth and organizations providing or partnering with children’s mental health providers, 3) Children’s Mental Health data and dashboard, 4) System Navigation/Journey Mapping, 5) Service Continuum Mapping, and 6) Recruitment. The engagement work we will undertake this year will directly inform our five-year implementation plan.

We encourage you to join us – and join one of these important subcommittees. To get involved or for more information, contact Etonde.