Coordinated System of Care (CSoC)

The term "system of care" is used often and can mean many things. For us, a system of care is an overarching philosophy and approach that is embraced by everyone working on behalf of children and families. This includes ensuring there is a coordinated network of services and supports for children and youth with behavioral health challenges and their families and that this network aligns with a core set of values.

Louisiana's Coordinated System of Care or CSoC is the state's effort to bring this philosophy and approach to Louisiana. The Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) brings together the Department of Health (Office of Behavioral Health and Medicaid), the Department of Children & Family Services, the Department of Education, the Office of Juvenile Justice, the Governor's Office, family, youth and advocate representatives to establish a service delivery system that is better integrated, has enhanced service offerings and achieves improved outcomes. By establishing CSoC, we can help ensure that young people in or at risk of out-of-home placement with significant behavioral health challenges can receive the supports and services they need. Specific goals for the CSoC include:

  • Improving the overall outcomes for enrolled children/youth and their caregivers
  • Decreasing the number of youth in residential/detention settings
  • Reducing the state's cost of providing services by leveraging Medicaid and other funding sources 

 Louisiana's CSoC:

  • Incorporates a broad, flexible array of effective services and supports for a defined population;
  • Is organized into a coordinated network;
  • Integrates care planning and management across multiple levels;
  • Is culturally and linguistically competent;
  • Builds meaningful partnerships with families and youth at the service delivery, management and policy levels; and
  • Has supportive policy and management infrastructure.

All young people who are referred for CSoC face serious challenges with their emotions and behavior. Many young people and families choose CSoC because they want something in their lives to get better. Maybe it's their family lives, friendships, or grades. Perhaps it's their feelings about themselves and others. Often, it's many things.  Some young people don't choose to participate in CSoC. It is chosen for them, maybe by a family member, a therapist, or even a judge. They may have had problems with the law, or have difficulty in school or other situations.

CSoC is a philosophy and approach where children with significant behavioral health challenges receive the needed services and supports within their homes and communities. Systems of care help families and children have a stronger voice in their care and become more independent.

What We Know

  • Children belong in homes and communities
  • Whenever possible, children belong with their families
  • Children and families are more empowered to deal with behavioral health challenges when they receive help

What We Can Achieve

According to the national evaluation of Systems of Care, youth involved in Systems of Care:

  • Spend more time in school
  • Have improved grades
  • Have fewer arrests
  • Show reductions in disciplinary problems
  • Have improved emotional health
  • Have fewer suicide attempts
  • Are less costly
  • Have reduced use of inpatient and residential care

 Source: National Wraparound Initiative 

What We Believe

Children and families are most likely to succeed when all people working on behalf of young people and their families are guided by the following values:

  • Family Voice and Choice
  • Team Based
  • Natural Supports
  • Collaboration
  • Home and Community based
  • Culturally and Linguistically Competent
  • Strength-based
  • Individualized
  • Outcome Based
  • Unconditional Care

  Source: National Wraparound Initiative 

Participate

The Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) promotes broad stakeholder involvement.  CSoC stakeholders assist with identifying and providing the community services and supports that families need.  Click here to learn more about this.

Refer

Families or providers can call Magellan of Louisiana directly at 1-800-424-4489. You may also contact the child’s/youth’s Healthy Louisiana plan to determine what they need. Through a specific screening process, the plan will identify children and youth who should be screened for CSoC enrollment. Regardless of CSoC eligibility, Magellan and the Healthy Louisiana plans will ensure that children and youth are referred to providers who can meet their needs.

Magellan and each Healthy Louisiana plan operate a toll free number which is staffed 24/7 to take calls from anyone who has a behavioral health issue, provide over-the-phone crisis support as needed and help people find the right treatment. CSoC will be recommended for children and youth who have very complex behavioral health needs and who are at risk of or are living out of their family homes.

Tips for Making a Referral

  • Tell the representative who answers that you are calling to make a CSoC referral.
  • Be prepared to answer questions about your concerns about what's going on in your child's life that makes you think CSoC is needed. You will be asked about the child's:
    • Age
    • Insurance/Medicaid
    • Mental Health History
    • Substance Abuse History
    • Medicine
    • Medical history
    • History with child welfare, juvenile justice and trouble in school

If a child or youth does not meet CSoC eligibility criteria, the Healthy Louisiana plan will provide other Medicaid provider network information that will be helpful.

You can call anytime of day or night on any day of the week.

Contact

For more information, contact the CSoC team at (225) 342-2540 or CSoC@la.gov
Partnering Agencies

    

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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