DCFS has contracts with community-based agencies statewide to provide mental health Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) for children who appear to be ready to harm themselves or others. In addition to providing crisis intervention services to stabilize a child, SASS can provide counseling and case management services designed to link the child with ongoing care. 

Referrals to SASS may come from: 

• caregivers calling the CARES 24-hour line (800-345-9049); 
• the child’s caseworker; 
• Placement Stabilization; 
• System of Care (SOC); and 
• teachers.

SASS Inpatient Services for Children in Psychiatric Hospitals  

If a SASS evaluation indicates that the child should be hospitalized, the child will be admitted for inpatient treatment.  Caregivers should be fully involved in the treatment and discharge planning for these children. They have critical information concerning the history of problems which led to the admission of the child to the hospital. This key information must be shared with the treatment team to plan for the child’s care. Additionally, it is critical that the caregivers remain involved with the child, as this generally helps the child make progress.

Input from the caregiver is also important in deciding on a discharge plan which meets both the child’s and family’s needs. If the child cannot return to the same family after discharge, it is important for the caregivers, SASS worker and child’s caseworker to plan a meeting prior to discharge for the caregivers to say goodbye and the child to be told where he or she will go to live after leaving the hospital.

Supports Available to Facilitate Caregiver’s Involvement  

SASS has the primary responsibility of facilitating a caregiver’s involvement while a child is in the hospital. SASS can help with transportation, child care and other support which will allow foster caregivers to participate. If you need assistance in participating while the child is in a psychiatric hospital, ask the SASS agency. 

SASS can also connect you with a Family Resource Developer (FRD), which is someone who has also had a child involved in a social service system. The FRD can offer you support and encouragement, and can also help you identify resources.