Child and Youth Services, Section 2. General Program Standards

For an organization to achieve quality services, the philosophical foundation of child- and family-centered care practices must be demonstrated. Children/youth and families are involved in the design, implementation, delivery, and ongoing evaluation of applicable services offered by the organization. A commitment to quality and the involvement of the persons served span the entire time that they are involved with the organization. The service planning process is individualized, establishing goals and objectives that incorporate the unique strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of the person served. The persons served have the opportunity to transition easily through a system of care.  This curriculum examines how child and youth services programs utilize a person-centered screening and assessment process to determine a person’s eligibility for services and ensure a comprehensive program structure that maximizes opportunities for persons served to participate.  Persons are actively involved in the direction of their services through an individualized planning process, including planning for transition to other levels of care or other services, or discharge from services.  Content also addresses the provision of medication services, promotion of nonviolent practices, and best practices to ensure quality records.  Also included is a course on the specialty standards for programs that deliver services via information and communication technologies.