October 30,2021
Indianapolis, IN – On Wednesday, Choices announced its decision to terminate one of its longstanding agreements with the Indiana Department of Child Services. Effective October 30, 2021, Choices will no longer provide Cross System Care Coordination (CSCC) services.
Choices’ personnel enjoyed collaborating with DCS, Probation, and its CSCC network providers to serve Hoosier families during the past 25 years. The organization’s success is rooted in its partnerships.
“We came to this decision with heavy hearts,” says Melissa Norman, Choices’ Chief Operations Officer. “Unfortunately, it just was not feasible to continue our CSCC services anymore.”
Choices’ coordinated care work in Indiana originated from the DAWN project in 1997. Through DAWN and the CSCC service standard, Choices has served thousands of Hoosier youth with complex emotional, behavioral, and medical needs.
Although Choices will no longer accept CSCC referrals, Choices staff will work with DCS and Probation during the next two months to ensure that the transition is seamless and the needs of youth and families are properly met. Indiana DCS will continue to be a valued partner through the transition and in the remaining Choices Indiana programs.
Choices remains committed to its mission to empower individuals, engage communities, and enhance systems. The CSCC contract termination will not affect the rest of Choices’ programs that help youth, adults, and families in Indiana, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Choices’ services will continue to expand under the following Indiana programs: Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI), Children’s Mental Health Wraparound (CMHW), Family Preservation Services, School-Based Services, Foster Care Solutions, Behavioral Health Solutions, and the Choices Emergency Response Team. In Mississippi and Louisiana, Choices will continue its Wraparound programs.
Choices appreciates its deep relationships and long history of working alongside community-based providers across Indiana. On Wednesday, Choices informed its provider network of the change. While the organization is transitioning out of CSCC services, Choices will continue working with providers through programs such as CMHI, CMHW, and Family Preservation Services.
“Thank you to all of our providers and agency partners who have uplifted families and communities across the State of Indiana,” says Michael Goldberg, Choices’ Chief Executive Officer. “You have given many young people and families the hope and the skills they need to live healthier, happier lives. We appreciate all of your passion and hard work over the years.”
For more information about Choices’ programs, visit https://www.choicesccs.org/programs.
Contact Information
Please do not hesitate to contact Choices as it plans for a successful transition. Reach out to your existing contacts or email ContactIN@ChoicesCCS.org.