Child, family, and system outcomes of intensive case management in New York State

New York State's Children and Youth Intensive Case Management (CYICM) was implemented in 1988 as one of several community-based initiatives for children with serious emotional disturbance (SED). Underlying this program is the goal of maintaining children with SED in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs. This paper presents CYICM child, family, and system outcomes over six years, describes program refinements, and explores continuing research efforts. Data are supportive of the positive outcomes associated with intensive case management for children with SED. Associated with enrollment in CYICM are a decrease in symptoms, improvement in functioning, and fewer hospitalizations in state-operated psychiatric centers, which translates into cost savings and a possible reduction in hospital beds.