The 1580 Children in Crisis Rapid Care Team
The 1580 Children in Crisis Rapid Care Team (RCT) fills a needed gap to bring together system partners in a timely manner to problem-solve the most complex situations in Washington.
The RCT convenes partners across multiple state agencies, hospitals, managed care organizations (MCOs), service providers, and community partners to serve children with complex needs who are stuck in hospitals awaiting appropriate next level of care, and those who are dependent of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) experiencing placement instability.
Led by a dedicated Children and Youth Multisystem Care Director in the Governor’s Office, the multi-agency team provides single-point accountability, rapid response capability, and access to flexible funding that can address unique barriers dedicated funding streams cannot cover. These funds have also been utilized to provide parent peer support to families navigating these complex systems, greatly improving the engagement of caregivers, improving the timeliness of hospital discharges.
This model demonstrates how dedicated leadership, shared resources across systems, and the flexibility to create individualized solutions for young people and families can effectively serve children, youth, and their families. Taking what they have learned, the RCT makes annual recommendations to improve the system of care for Washingtonians.
