Overview

System of Care Chicago (SOCC) is a program created to help our children who struggle with difficult emotions or behaviors that get in the way of their education, by forging partnerships with educators, families, mental health professionals and other service providers to ensure our children receive the best services available. SOCC helps families help their children succeed at home, in school and in the community. SOCC is here to help coordinate and streamline services for families and children who have emotional and behavioral challenges.

System of Care realizes that children are not “small adults” and that their services must be planned and delivered in a manner that fully involves their families, peers, neighborhoods, schools and community. This becomes even more important for children who have serious challenges related to their behavior, health, school performance and safety. System of Care is changing the relationships families and children have to the service system at every level. System of Care is about partnership and collaboration to successfully link families, service providers and programs. Many federal, state and local programs now mandate parent involvement. These programs and policies require parents and professionals work together as partners because this approach produces the best results.

A substantial number of children under the age of 18 may have a behavioral, emotional or mental health problem. At least 1 in 10 young people may have an emotional disturbance that severely disrupts his or her ability to interact effectively with family, at school, and in the community. These children live in every part of the world and come from every social and economic class, race and culture. These children are at a higher risk for: school dropout, school expulsion, drug and alcohol abuse, unplanned pregnancy and conviction of crimes. In addition, when a child experiences a serious emotional disturbance the life of the entire family is changed. Feelings of isolation, frustration and anger are the “norms” families attempt to find help for their children and support for themselves.