Please explain the major reasons why the LCT did not review all unique referrals. (e.g. the referrals did not rise to the level of intensive needs, the family did not want to participate in the process, etc.) FY24 HFY1 :Cecil County LCT provides families with a choice of an LCT meeting, connection to community services and/or a trauma therapy service request. When families ask for connection to resources, this is identified as triaging wherein the LCT Coordinator assists the family on the spot. If a family is only seeking trauma therapy services for their child through LMB or federal funding, there is a checkbox on the referral form available for that choice as well. Therefore, all families who connect with the LCT don't necessarily request an LCT meeting. On occasion, LCT Coordinator was unable to connect with families once a referral was made. Regardless of the initial reason for referral, all families are encouraged to reach back to the LCT if support is needed in the future. HFY2: Cecil County continues to offer families a choice of avenues for services. A family can choose to have an LCT meeting (formal review), connect to resources (informal), and/or direct connection to trauma therapy. In June of 2024, a Family Peer Support Navigator (FPSN) was added to the Dept. of Community Services staff serving as the family voice on the LCT. Families now have the option to connect with an FPSN who can help them navigate thought their Family Action Plan resulting from the LCT meeting. They can also connect to the FPSN for support groups and/or trainings as well.

FY23: Cecil County's Local Care Team consists of a robust group of community partners that meet every Monday except holidays and the infrequent times when there are no cases. The LCT Coordinator also invites community partners to share their program information at team meetings, and reaches out to referral partners to explain the services offered by the LCT. Referrals may be handled formally through an LCT meeting or informally, through referrals and warm hand-offs to appropriate partners.

Cecil County continues to have a robust group of partners at the table. The Local Care Team added Advantage Psychiatric and CASA to our group of team members. Referrals can be triaged by the LCT Coordinator and/or brought to the LCT. A Family Action Plan is conducted for every family who attends an LCT meeting. LCT Coordinator follows up with families regarding the Family Action Plan. The family is welcome to circle back to the LCT Coordinator at any time.  

Please describe youth engagement in the LCT process and whether that involvement is beneficial to the outcome of cases. FY24 HFY1: Youth engagement in the LCT process is minimal in Cecil County. The intent of the LCT process is to collaborate with the family regarding their needs. Family voice and choice is encouraged, and some discussion ideas brainstormed during LCT meetings may be perceived as negative from a youth's perspective. Most families don’t prefer their child be included in the meeting. Reasons may include: meetings occurring during school hours, parents being unable to openly discuss the youth's behavioral health issues and discussions may trigger the youth due to the sensitive nature. Overall, youth's participation in LCT meetings is not beneficial. HFY2: Youth engagement in the LCT remans minimal in Cecil County. Occasionally, older siblings attend LCT meetings with their families to express their voice to the team. The intent of the LCT process is to collaborate with the family regarding their needs. Family voice and choice is always encouraged, and some discussion ideas brainstormed during LCT meetings may be perceived as negative from a youth's perspective. Most caregivers use the LCT meeting as a safe space to speak freely and honestly regarding their family's struggles.

FY23 HFY1: It has been a struggle to maintain an appropriate staff member in the LCT Coordinator position. The prior LCTC vacated the position in May 2022, and a replacement was hired in August 2022. At the time of this hire, the LCTC's direct supervisor, the LMB Director, was vacant. A new LMB Director was hired in mid-September 2022. After several months working internally and with GOC with the LCTC, the Coordinator decided to vacate the position, leaving in early December. Since that time, Cecil County has consistently advertised the position and conducted a number of interviews, with no viable candidates and very few applicants with appropriate educational background and work experience. We are working with our Human Resources team and following advice from GOC to hire an appropriate candidate. Cecil is fortunate to have hired an LMB Director who is extremely familiar with the LCT process, partners, and clients. She is currently managing the LCT along with her own duties until an appropriate Coordinator can be hired, and Cecil is increasing the number of formal and informal LCT cases being managed by our office. Cecil intends to continue to educate our partners on appropriate referrals for the LCT, and intends to update our referral form to make things more clear and specific for referring partners.

FY23 HFY2: The LCT Coordinator position became vacant again at the beginning of December, a new LCT Coordinator joined us in May of 2023. The Local Management Board Director continued to act as the interim LCT Coordinator. The newly hired LCT Coordinator possesses a plethora of experience working with families of children with behavioral health needs. The LCT Coordinator and LMB Director have plans to do outreach to agencies to educate them on the LCT and referral process. The LCT did 2 outreach events in HY2. The LCT had three presentations/training from the community during HY2.