Supporting Youth with Complex Care Needs

When the term complex care is used, it is intended to highlight circumstances in which youth have a variety of identified needs across multiple domains that have been unmet, often over long periods of time, by behavioral health, child welfare, probation, education and other systems. As a result, these youth need high intensity, individualized treatment options to better resolve challenges and address their needs.

The California Department of Social Services, along with our systems partners, acknowledges that there are systemic shortfalls in meeting these youths’ needs and we have made addressing these gaps within the continuum of care a top priority. This webpage is meant to be a source of information and resources for counties, tribes, advocates and other stakeholders to access guidance on serving youth with complex care needs.

Questions? Please reach out to SOCTACALLS@dss.ca.gov