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Children's System of Care (SOC) Planning Committee


The SOC Planning Committee was established by statute in 1993 (52-2-303 MCA) to develop an integrated service system for children under age 18 who are seriously emotionally disturbed (SED), at risk for placement in an out-of-home setting, and needing the assistance of more than one state agency. The statute was updated in 2001 to further describe a children’s System of Care and to define the duties of the planning committee.  In 2007, the SOC Planning Committee became two subcommittees.

The SOC Community Planning Committee is made up of approximately 30 members who represent family members of youth, Native Americans, advocacy groups, mental health providers that serve young people and community members. The Director of Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) appoints the members. The SOC Statutory Planning Committee is also appointed by the Director of DPHHS and includes the members required by statute plus those added by the Director.
Committee activities include:

  • Developing policies aimed at eliminating or reducing barriers to the implementation of a system of care;
  • Promoting development of a quality array of core services in-state so that SED youth can avoid out-of-state placements;
  • Encouraging development of the infrastructure of the system of care by encouraging development of local interagency teams known as Kids Management Authorities (KMA); and
  • Overseeing administration of a federal grant received in September 2004 for the development of the infrastructure for the state's system of care.

The SOC Community Planning Committee meets quarterly in Helena. For more information, contact Kandis Franklin, Health Resources Division, 406-444-6018 or KFranklin@mt.gov.

Page last updated: 08/25/2010