Using a System of Care Framework for the Mental Health Treatment of Children and Adolescents

Advanced practice psychiatric and mental health nurses recognize the need to provide holistic, culturally competent and family-involved care to children with mental health problems. Yet frequently, other key aspects of the best care are overlooked. System of Care not only promotes holistic, culturally competent, child- and family-centered, and community-based care, but also promotes comprehensive “wraparound” services to families. Further, System of Care encourages individualized care provided in the least restrictive setting by an interdisciplinary group. This article presents key principles of System of Care, and the rationale for their use in all mental health care for children. It also includes examples of how the model has resulted in positive outcomes with clients and their families.