By definition, a Systems of Care is a comprehensive spectrum of mental health and other support services that are organized into a coordinated network to meet the multiple and changing needs of children and adolescents with a serious emotional disturbance and their families.

By practice, Systems of Care involve mental health service providers and other organizations and individuals working together as partners to provide care for children with serious emotional disturbance. With input from the child and the family, the partners plan and put into place a tailored set of services to meet the child’s physical, emotional, social, educational, and family needs. The goal of the Systems of Care Team is to help these children get all the services they need in or near their own communities. The team finds and builds upon the strengths of the child and family, rather than focusing solely on their problems.

Research studies have shown that effective Systems of Care reduce hospitalizations and other out-of-home placements, improve how children behave and function emotionally, improve school performance, reduce violations of the law, and provide services to more children and families who need them.


Oklahoma’s Systems of Care is:

Child Centered and Family Focused: All treatment is designed according to the child’s interests, strengths and natural supports. The family, in partnership with the treatment team, directs all services and treatment and includes all of the family needs and interests.

Parent/Family Participation: The child and his or her parents are the key figures in all levels of the Systems of Care. Parents serve as the hub for all treatment planning for their child. In addition, they participate in planning and development on the state and local level, advocate strengthening the service system, and provide peer support to other families affected by severe emotional disturbance of a child.

A Wraparound Philosophy: “Wraparound” simply means that the planning process involves the child and his or her family and results in an individualized plan which calls upon a variety of supportive services and involves all the team members in achieving positive outcomes.

Community Based: Services are located in the family’s home community, and the responsibility for decision-making and management is placed at the local level.

Respite Care: Temporary relief for families and caregivers who are part of the Systems of Care is available through the Respite Care Resource Network.

Evaluation: Oklahoma’s Systems of Care is carefully evaluated to determine the outcomes for children and their families and to assess the effectiveness of the Systems of Care and the Wraparound team approach.