March 2025: How the CFT and IP-CANS Processes Support Youth with Complex Care Needs

This webinar will look at how the CFT and IP-CANS processes support youth with complex care needs.  The presentation will include discussion of some of the characteristics of youth who need complex care, challenges frequently encountered when serving this population, and explore possible pathways to solutions.   

Presenters:

Rebecca Buchmiller, Manager, System of Care Branch, Integrated Services Unit, in her current position with the California Department of Social Services, Rebecca, and her team work to ensure all who encounter the child welfare system have timely access to trauma-informed systems of care that elevate the voice and choice of the child, youth, and family, and build consensus around their strengths and needs in service planning and delivery. Her passion for ensuring all who touch the child welfare system have seamless access to care stems from her 30+ years of experience navigating systems as a foster and adoptive parent, family partner, co-founder of a non-profit, and as a public policy and program analyst. In her free time, she enjoys entertaining, spending time with family, and volunteering for causes close to her. 

Caroline Caton, Analyst, System of Care Branch, Integrated Services Unit has worked for the California Department of Social Services for over 25 years, supporting programs, projects, and policies intended to meet the needs of youth with complex needs.   

April D. Fernando, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and consultant with 30 years of experience in therapy, teaching and program leadership. She has provided therapy in diverse settings, trained workforces on trauma-informed practices and consulted nationally and internationally on outcomes management for child welfare, behavioral health and education systems. A former associate director at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Innovation in Population Health, she supported the implementation of TCOM strategies like CANS and ANSA. Fernando also served as a senior administrator at West Coast Children’s Clinic and was a tenured professor and program co-director at Holy Names University.