May 14, 1999
The Heartbeat System of Care (HSOC) has been launched, under the supervision of the County of San Diego, to manage the publically funded mental health services for emotionally disturbed children and youth. This ground-breaking public-private effort is the outgrown of Project Heartbeat of the San Diego County Bar Association, a three-way coalition of families, private-sector health professionals and public agencies, founded in 1996. Together, these three sectors provide a system of checks and balances to promote accountability and responsibility within a managed care environment.
Heartbeat is a definitive redesign in the way children's mental health services are provided in San Diego. The organization is rooted in the belief that children and youth mental health care must be seamlessly consolidated, and encompass responsiveness, community support and financial accountability.
According to Project Heartbeat Director Sharon Kalemkiarian, "San Diego is ready for the Heartbeat System of Care. It is important for a community of our size and diversity to develop solutions for ourselves and share them with others around the nation."
She notes that approximately 13,000 San Diego County children and youths below age 18 receive some form of behavioral health service. Another 14,000 could qualify for services if, under the previous systems, their cases were properly identified.
"The previous pattern of oversight, which initially prompted the formation of Project Heartbeat, will be corrected through HSOC. One of the main goals involves making it easy for families to receive help quickly," said Kalemkiarian. "Our structure will deliver single, rather than multiple service coordinators or case managers, to guide families and children through each necessary facet of care."
Susan Broderdorf, a Project Heartbeat supporter and the parent of a youth afflicted with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, agrees. "The Heartbeat System of Care will educate parents by identifying the mental healthcare options for their children. I have met parents whose children had legitimate emotional illnesses, but were sent through the juvenile justice system or assigned to special education classes. Under the Heartbeat System, these children will be assessed and treated differently. Already, I think Heartbeat has helped families emerge with a clearer vision of the services available to them."
In addition to services, HSOC could ultimately consolidate $65 million in funding from the budgets of the mental health, social services and juvenile probation departments. The most immediate beneficiaries will be the nearly 6,000 children currently being served by these departments. This consolidation presents an opportunity for "mental health care dollars to follow the kids," meaning that families and children will not have to wait for the departments to fight over costs in order to be accommodated.
"When a situation arises where a child needs care," says Kalemkiarian, "Service coordinators will be able to connect them promptly with care. We're striving for consistency in healthcare without closing doors to anyone who is eligible."
Adds, County Supervisor Greg Cox, initiator of the effort, "HSOC potentially has great human benefit and its launch represents a significant moment for anyone who cares about children. Organizationally, it is structured in a way that is results-oriented and thoughtfully integrates all interested parties."
HSOC's management model emphasizes partnerships, accessibility, outcome-driven systems, cultural and linguistic competence, and service networks.
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