CVS is a service provider for “Path II”, or Differential Response, cases in West Contra Costa County, and receives referrals from Children and Family Services (CFS) to provide intensive case management services under this program. Some DR cases screened by CFS do not rise to the level of requiring a full CFS investigation; however, they might have enough risk factors present that warrant some intervention.
Differential Response case managers at CVS initially meet families at a moment of particular crisis, following a Children and Family Services referral questioning the safety of their children while in their care. The intent of DR case management services is to provide immediate stability by assessing and addressing the most pressing immediate needs, improve family functioning by facilitating access to support systems and services (from public assistance to job training to mental health treatment, etc), and ultimately to prevent the need for repeated or ongoing involvement by Children and Family Services.
The DR program provides services in English and Spanish for 50-60 families annually: our two full-time case managers can carry a combined caseload of 30 active families and as many in the follow-up phase. Each family receives services for six months, with six months of follow-up as needed.