Counties need option to operate group homes

Families and local governments struggle to ensure effective services for our most seriously emotionally disturbed youth. At times, residential treatment is required to avoid hospitalization or placement in juvenile detention facilities. Unfortunately, many counties do not have local intensive, 24-hour residential treatment programs for young people in need of care. Existing residential facilities may be unable to accept youth with serious emotional and behavioral problems. As a result, these youth experience multiple placement failures and are placed in facilities far from their communities - sometimes even out of state.

Sen. Simitian's legislation, SB 679, would provide counties the option to directly operate small group homes to serve high-need seriously emotionally disturbed youth who might otherwise be placed outside of their communities. This common sense legislation provides an opportunity for increased coordination and collaboration among various public agencies serving high-risk youth. Social services, juvenile justice, education, health and mental health resources can be organized to create the network of services that a young person needs in a group home.

Publicly operated group homes can work. San Mateo County has been operating the Canyon Oaks Youth Center for two years under an administrative waiver to pilot the viability of a publicly operated group home. Canyon Oaks has been able to help families participate in their child's treatment. It has reduced the amount of time youth remain in out-of-home care. It has increased cross-agency collaboration to meet youths' needs. In addition, its location in our community has enabled youth to use Canyon Oaks's proximity to transition back to families and/or lower levels of care with the knowledge and comfort that Canyon Oaks is nearby.

Clara was one of the first clients at Canyon Oaks. Because Canyon Oaks is so close to Clara's home, her family could visit her weekly. After participating in weekly family therapy sessions, she started having weekly home passes. She successfully participated in a vocational training program at Canyon Oaks and began attending local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Several months before she was discharged, Clara began attending a special education/vocational program in her home community. After 11 months at Canyon Oaks, Clara was able to successfully return to live with her parents. Nine months after discharge, Clara is off probation, has a job and is in school.

Families and counties need the option to directly operate small group homes, so that Clara and other young people can live closer to the families and communities whose support they need. Let's hope the Legislature passes SB 679, and that the Governor signs it into law. Clara, and others like her, need their support.

Jerry Hill is on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors