Background Foster Care Challenge Advisory Board
Program Overview Residential Education Work Readiness Child Welfare Services Integrated Campus Programs
About the Students Admission Guidelines Referral Process Student Testimonials
Academy Bulletin Photo Gallery Academy @ Blogspot
 

Referral Process

Youth are referred to the Academy by their San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) case-carrying social worker.  The social worker submits an application packet to the County Academy screener, who reviews the application and makes a preliminary determination whether the youth meets the Admission Criteria.  If the youth appears to be appropriate for the Academy, the application packet is reviewed at a weekly multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting.  The case-carrying social worker is encouraged to attend since s/he is the one able to present the most current and accurate information about the youth.  Representatives from HHSA, New Alternatives, Inc., the County Office of Education and the Public Defender’s Office participate in this meeting. 

The outcome of this review will be one of the following:

  • A request for further information
    • If the team believes they do not have enough information on which to base a decision, or they have questions about the youth that are not answered by the material presented, specific case material may be requested.
  • Denial
    • If the team agrees that the youth is not an appropriate candidate for placement at the Academy, the Academy screener will notify the referring social worker.  The reason(s) for denial and any remediation that could lead to future Academy placement will be explained.
  • An invitation to the youth to tour the campus
    • If the team agrees that the youth appears to be a potential candidate for placement at the Academy, s/he will be invited to tour the campus.  Immediately after this tour, the referring social worker will be informed if the Academy extends an offer of placement.  If placement is offered, the youth will make the final placement decision and has the option to refuse placement.