Agencies link hands, a ‘multi-system’ teen finds success

SALEM -- We'll call her Kaylee.

Earning her high school diploma, going to the prom, celebrating turning 18 - normal things for a teen at Kaylee's stage of life.

If Kaylee's life had been anything like normal.

She is a "multi-system youth." That's agency shorthand for a young person with so many challenges - such as developmental, medical, familial, mental, behavioral - that he or she has fallen under the jurisdiction of multiple state agencies, and often the justice system as well.

Chalk up Kaylee's success to a new spirit of collaboration among the agencies charged with her care, in a novel Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) residential facility and program designed for three young women. It has earned kudos from the state and is considered a model for replication across Ohio.

More importantly for Columbiana County, it is being replicated right here for multi-system boys. A house is being renovated with special design characteristics for three teen boys.

Josh Martin, assistant CCBDD superintendent, said previous policy for out-of-control teens with multiple disabilities and medical issues was to ship them to residential programs in Cincinnati or Baltimore, "in hopes that we'd get a call later that said they were better and were coming home. . .which never happened, or if it did happen, they went back in six months."

Kaylee "was a girl on her way to Baltimore four years ago," Martin said. "This is her high school graduation. She went to the prom. That's big."

Instead of being sent far from home, Kaylee was placed with two other girls in a specially renovated house in a Salem neighborhood, "specially renovated" meaning: no mirrors, minimal glass, no hanging light fixtures, no sharp or heavy objects laying around, nothing that could be easily destroyed or used as a weapon by a teen who is acting out. Also meaning, individual bedrooms and bathrooms, supervision 24 hours a day by trained residents, and location within walking distance to a convenience store.

Martin said the multiple entities involved in each child's case collaborated in structuring her care, instead of competing to see which agency would draw the short straw.

"At one time, the approach was, 'You accept them, they're yours,'" said CCBDD Superintendent Bill Devon.

Four years ago, Martin called in representatives from agencies and the courts to look for a new way.

"These are human lives that need help," he said. "We should go in with a spirit of collaboration. There are state dollars to pay for these services." He told his own staff, "I never want to hear you saying, 'Who's going to take care of this kid?'"

He said, "It was surprising how quickly the walls came down." Also surprising: the costs, which involved agencies share, end up being cheaper: $300 to $400 a day, instead of $900 daily for placement in the faraway facilities.

Several agencies and individuals are deserving of credit for this success, Martin said, including Heather Leffler, multi-system youth liaison from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities; Ashley Arter, an SSA (case worker) for the CCBDD who was deeply involved; One Step Forward, the housing corporation formed 30 years ago to own properties for the CCBDD, which stretched to undertake the housing redesigns; and Cherokee Rose and Two Sisters Homes, the private providers whose staff took the training and provide supervision.

Columbiana County is one of eight Ohio counties recognized for this type of innovative approach for teens aged 13 to 17, even receiving a commendation from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Every other month, representatives of these eight counties, along with counties which are considering implementing the program, meet virtually to share what they've learned.

The new Columbiana County home for three multi-system boys is nearly ready; participants have been selected and are to move in next month.

At 18, Kaylee has aged out of the program. Her place in the multi-system home for girls will be occupied by another girl in dire need. Kaylee will continue to be supported through adult programs of the CCBDD and other social service and medical entities.

The hope is that she will build on her successes, maintain a meaningful relationship with her adoptive family, and remain in her hometown.