title: Creating a front porch in systems of care: improving access to behavioral health services for diverse children and families.
abstract: Despite recognition of the central role that service accessibility (and availability) should assume within a system of care, the definition proposed in the feature article of this special issue does not identify specific factors that systems of care must take into account in order to serve diverse children with serious emotional disturbance and their families in a culturally competent manner. This paper provides support for inclusion of the concepts of access and availability in the system of care definition and presents important factors that systems of care must take into account in order to increase access in a culturally competent manner, a core system of care value.
authors: Department of Child & Family Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 2315, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. callejas@fmhi.usf.edu
authors: Linda M
authors: LM
authors: Callejas
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Hernandez
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Nesman
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Mowery
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012922:Social Change