FY23: During the second half of FY23, the Baltimore City Local Care Team (BC-LCT) was below target on five of the six How Much measures.

The How Much #1 measure, on the # of unique referrals received by the LCT during the reporting period was just below the desired total target of 31 unique referrals received for the second half of FY23 due to a decline in the number of referrals received by the close of the fiscal year. It should be noted that the BC-LCT was 1 referral away from meeting the annual target for the year, and when compared to the number of cases referred in FY22 the Team did see the increase in referrals that were anticipated when the targets were set for FY23.

The How Much #2 measure, on the # of unique referrals (as noted above) that resulted in one or more reviews by the LCT during the reporting period was below target in the second half of FY23. As noted in the first half year scorecard report, this was a new measure and based on the number of follow-up case review meetings held. The LCT Coordinating Manager found challenges with families showing up for follow-up case meetings because many of the youth referred were not cooperative and engaging in the initial resource recommendations made. Some parents confirmed attendance with the LCT staff and referring/ lead agencies only to not show up for the scheduled follow up Case Review meeting. The team has a policy of limiting the number of missed case review meetings by any one referring agency to three per referral before the Team requires a new referral to be submitted.

The How Much #3 measure, on the # of LCT reviews completed during the reporting period was 18 for the second half of FY23, bringing the actual total number of LCT reviews completed for the year to 34; 11 less than the desired number for the year. The target below was not met due to the unforeseen decrease in the number of referrals submitted to the LCT for case review. Additionally, not all referrals received were qualified to come before the LCT for the following reasons: referral was found to be outside the Baltimore City jurisdiction for services or technical assistance (TA) and contact information for the desired services over the phone.

The How Much #4 measure, on the # of Local Care Team meetings was 13 for the second half of the year, and 25 for the total actual number of FY24. Similar to the impacts described above, this measure was affected purely by the number of cases that were referred to the LCT and came before the team for a Case Review. Due to there being a decline in the referrals from agencies such as (DSS, DJS, and City Schools (BCPSS), the number of referrals that come before the table declined for the FY23 year.

The How Much #5 measure, on the # of outbound LCT outreach activities completed was 7 for the second half of the year, bringing the total actual number to 13 outbound LCT outreach activities completed for the fiscal year. The number was not met due to challenges getting on external stakeholder’s schedules for presentations.

FY21: At the close of FY21, the Baltimore City Local Care Team (BC-LCT) was below target on two of the four How Much measures and one of the two Better Off measures. The How Much measure on # of new cases referred to the LCT was lower than anticipated having received 53 out the 80 targeted referred cases. Due to continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic the LCT did not receive the volume of referrals as it received when in-person classes and services were offered. The reasons identified were a combination of schools not being fully open to students and the effects of the COVID-19 social distancing protocols. Historically, the LCT has received the highest percentage of case referrals from school counselors and administrators. Due to the LCT conducting more LCT Training presentations in FY21 the LCT has already begun to see an increase in the number of referrals received just two months into FY22. The LCT was below target for the # of cases reviewed by the Local Care Team, ending the fiscal year with 47 cases reviewed, out of the 56 cases targeted. This was due to the same reasons listed above. COVID-19 has affected how community organizations that previously referred to a case for review were delivering services to the community.  The LCT found it challenging for them to fully assess the needs of the youth and family through virtual portals. Additionally, referring partners experienced multiple technical difficulties submitting referrals electronically during COVID due to their organizations Firewall and PHI security measures making it harder for Case Managers to submit requests for case reviews. The LCT is anticipating an increase in both referrals and case reviews now that the country is opening and the need for placement or supportive services for youth is more physically visible, without relying on virtual portals. 

The Better Off measure for the #/% of new cases referred for out-of-state placement that are alternatively served through in-state community-based services or in-state residential placements established for FY21 was not met. One youth was referred for an out-of-state placement and was placed out of state. Three youth were referred for out-of-state placement during the year and all three were placed out of state. We did not meet our target of 25%. In all these cases the needs of the young person exceeded the in-state services available during the pandemic. This remains to be seen due the intensive needs of the “hard to place” youth that come before the LCT. 

The Baltimore City Local Care Team (LCT) is comprised of leaders within local agencies, direct service providers, and stakeholders that come together to offer navigation supports and resource recommendations for youth and families with children that have intensive care needs. The LCT is vital to supporting healthy and safe development of children by diverting youth from out-of-state placements with the provision of timely and effect resources recommendations that are available within the youth’s community.  

The Baltimore City Local Care Team (LCT) consists of a group of public agency representatives and other human services agencies that include but are not limited to Family League of Baltimore (Family League); Department of Juvenile Services (DJS); Department of Social Services (DSS); Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS); Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF); Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD); Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success (MOCFS); Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore (BHSB); and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). The LCT is intended to support families in accessing services and recommend resources for youth with intensive needs.  

Families with children ages 0-21.

FY21: By the close of the Fiscal Year, a highlight worth noting from the Baltimore City Local Care Team is that of the partnerships established between the Baltimore City Police Department Community Relations departments within various police districts around Baltimore. Through this new relationship the LCT was able to present in three different BPD spaces prior to the close of FY21 which has positively impacted the number of Training presentations that are coming in for FY22. 

FY2021 Jan-Jun:

Due to an error in data entry, one less case was reviewed in the first half of the fiscal year than initially reported. This impacted the following measures: 

# of cases reviewed by the Local Care Team 

#/% of all Local Care Team reviews (new, follow-up, and annual reviews) where the youth’s parents (or legal guardians) attended 

#/% of new cases referred for in-state residential placement that are alternatively served through community-based services