Family and Systems Team (FAST) Initiative
The Family and Systems Team (FAST) fund was developed in FY 2005 with pooled multi-agency funding to jump-start the Access to Better Care (ABC) Initiative. The FY 08-09 biennial budget continues multi-agency support for this innovative program. FAST provides flexible funds to counties for supportive services to families with multi-need children and youth who have behavioral health disorders and are at risk of out-of-home placements due to their behavioral health needs—contingent on family involvement and participation in treatment planning.
Evaluation of the FAST program found:
- Evidence indicated that participation in the FAST program significantly increased family empowerment.
- Families indicated that family empowerment was significantly associated with increased family satisfaction with services and with youth outcomes.
- Families indicated that there was a significant reduction in out-of-home placement risk from time of enrollment to time of termination.
- While families were facing a pile-up of stressors at the time of enrollment, data from families generated evidence that participants reported significant reductions in family stressors following their participation in the FAST program.
- Taken together, these results indicate that participation in the FAST program coincided with solid gains in family and youth well-being indicators.
Access to Better Care (ABC)/Family and Systems Team (FAST) Guidelines
The ABC/FAST Guidance Document Fiscal Year 2009 details all program and fiscal requirements associated with the use of ABC/FAST funds. For questions about the guidance document, contact Diane Nutter in the Office of Children's Services. For questions about FAST fiscal reports or procedures, contact Timothy Bassett in the Office of Fiscal Administration.
FAST Annual Report FY09
The FAST Annual Report for FY09 is due on August 28, 2009. Please file your report electronically and contact Diane Nutter, Office of Children's Services, if you have questions.