VISION, MISSION and GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Cornerstone's Vision:
The Colorado Cornerstone Initiative is about positive system change for children whgo have mental health needs and are in, or at-risk of involvement in, the juvenile justice system, and their families.

Cornerstone's Mission:
To create a comprehensive and seamless sysetm of care through community partnerships formed by families, youth, family-serving agencies, and systems!

Cornerstone's Key Components:
Individualized Service Plans which describe strengths and needs of the youth and family, and identify community services, supports and resources to meet their needs.

Timely access to a system of care that uses a wraparound approach to integrate services provided through community agencies, non-traditional resources and supports, and new services and supports developed through the project.

A service coordinator/family advocate team assigned to the family to guide and advocate for them through the system of care as long as needed.

Cornerstone's Guiding Principles:
Family Focused
Youth and family members are equal partners at all levels of the Initiative. This includes meaningful participation in: decision-making, through bodies such as the Governing Board; direct delivery of services and supports; development of individualized service plans; and evaluation, feedback and quality improvement activities.

Individualized
Services and supports are tailored to the individual strengths and needs of the youth and family, rather than being focused on what agencies provide.

Accessible
Services and supports are provided in natural environments, where and when they are needed. The system of care recognizes and has methods to deal with barriers to access, including transportation, child care, eligibility, cultural differences, language and language proficiency, and service locations, hours and costs.

Community Based
Youth and families are supported within their communities, where they live and work, and are served in the least restrictive settings possible.

Culturally Competent
The system of care is effective across diverse cultures, including socio-economic, ethnic, geographic, educational, religious, gender and sexual identity groups. Services and supports are delivered in ways that are respectful and knowledgeable about the values and dynamics present in these cultures.

Integrated
The system of care identifies and blends all resources necessary to meet the needs of the youth and families involved. The system of care is a coordinated effort of all stakeholders, including multiple agencies, which share and support its vision and values.