Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT)

Performance Outcomes System Functional Assessment Tools

 

Update 4/15/20 - For guidance on administering outcomes measures remotely please click here.  The Quality, Outcomes and Training Division is aware of the challenges currently facing providers with respect to collecting outcomes data. We understand and appreciate your resolve when it comes to administering instruments at the beginning, during pre-defined intervals and conclusion of services or a particular intervention.

Please keep the following terms of use in mind regarding instruments:

• Some of instruments are copyrighted, and cannot be reproduced or recreated without reference to or explicit permission from the developer/publisher.  Some of the instruments cannot be reproduced or recreated at all, per guidelines from the developer.  Additionally, some of the instruments are priced per copy, and therefore every copy needs to be accounted for and a limited number of copies are provided at any given time. You may NOT make your own copies of those instruments. Continue to contact us to request outcome measures as needed.
• Whether you have hard copies or electronic versions of a specific instrument, the intellectual property and Protected Health Information (PHI) must be safeguarded. This means ensuring privacy during data collection, as with all telehealth activities and maintaining test security by locking away all physical copies of the instrument and password protecting or encrypting electronic versions.
• Only users who have been trained should administer outcomes. Please use the referenced quick guides to re-familiarize yourself with the instruments on which you have already been trained, and continue to contact us at PEIOutcomes@dmh.lacounty.gov with questions about the instruments.
• Those who administer outcomes must describe any changes to the mode of administration and consider the impact this has on test data/validity/reliability etc.  Please continue to follow your agencies’ guidelines for documentation and service delivery during these unique times. 

 

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has selected the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-35) AND the California Child and Adolescents Needs and Strengths - 50 (CANS-50) tools to measure child and youth functioning.

 

On November 14, 2017, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued MHSUDS Information Notice No.: 17-052 Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) – Specialty Mental Health Services Performance Outcomes System Functional Assessment Tools for Children and Youth.

 

 

An updated information notice was issued by DHCS on 10/17/18, expanding the age range for the questionnaires.  The CANS is to be completed for all EPSDT children/youth ages 6 through 20 and on all children ages 3 through 18 for the PSC-35. 

 

•  DHCS Information Notice
• Clinical Forms Bulletin 19-03.pdf  
• Clinical Forms Bulletin 19-04.pdf
• QA Bulletin 19-02 CANS PSC Implementation.pdf
• QA Bulletin 19-03 CANS PSC Update 01 
• Early Intervention Practices Memo_07-01-19 Final.pdf  

 

 

PSC-35

The PSC-35 is a psychosocial screening tool designed to facilitate the recognition of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems so appropriate interventions can be initiated as early as possible. Parents/caregivers will complete PSC-35 (parent/caregiver version) for children and youth ages 3 through age 18.

 

• LACDMH version of PSC-35 Form MH 736
• PSC-35 Quick Guide

 

 

CANS 

The CANS is a structured assessment used for identifying youth and family actionable needs and useful strengths. It provides a framework for developing and communicating about a shared vision and uses youth and family information to inform planning, support decisions, and monitor outcomes. DMH has made the decision that providers will complete the CANS-IP.  This includes the items on the CANS 50 plus 12 yes/no questions for screening for trauma, and allows for the assessments of needs for multiple caregivers.  It is completed through a collaborative process which includes children and youth ages 6 through age 20, and their caregivers (at a minimum).  The CANS cannot be completed without being certified by Praed Foundation to administer the CANS.   This also requires an annual recertification.    

 

• LACDMH version of CANS-IP Form MH 735 

 

Implementation

 

LACDMH and DHCS have agreed to the following implementation timeline for Los Angeles County:

 

• Starting January 1, 2019 the MHP’s providers contracted to provide specialty mental health services (SMHS) to children/youth/non-minor dependents (NMDs) placed in Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs) will begin administering the CANS and PSC-35 to youth entering STRTPs;
• Effective April 1 2019 the MHP’s providers contracted to provide SMHS to children/youth/ NMDs placed in Foster Family Agency (FFA) Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC) will begin administering the CANS and PSC-35 to youth receiving ISFC services;
• By July 1, 2019, all contracted and DMH directly operated programs will administer and report data collected using the PSC-35 and CANS-50 for new clients under the age of 21 receiving SMHS. 
• No later than August 1, 2019, LACDMH will send CANS and PSC-35 data received from SMHS providers to DHCS reflecting full implementation of EPSDT Functional Assessment Tools and engage in regular, recurring batch submissions.

 

Please note: STRTPs should submit data only on those clients admitted to the STRTP January 1, 2019 or later.  ISFC providers should submit data only on those clients whose services begin on April 1, 2019 or later. 

 

 

 

Training for EPSDT Outcomes

 

Who should attend these trainings? Clinicians or clinical team members that will be administering, scoring or interpreting the EPSDT outcome questionnaires are the target audience.  

 

To register for a training:

(1) Click here to download the registration form

(2) Complete one registration form per staff

(3) E-mail the completed form in Excel format to PEIOutcomes@dmh.lacounty.gov 

  

Outcome Measure	What	Where
PSC-35  eLearning Available	PSC-35	Online

 

 

 

 

What is EPSDT Outcomes Measurement Application (EPSDT OMA)?

 

EPSDT OMA is the method by which LA County is collecting data for EPSDT.  EPSDT OMA is a web-based application that can be accessed by DMH employees and Contract Providers to manually enter outcomes data for EPSDT.

 

Apply for Access

 

How to request access to EPSDT OMA

 

In order to request access to EPSDT OMA you need to have a DMH employee number (E#), and if you work at a Contract Provider site (as opposed to a DMH Directly Operated Clinic) you will need to have a C#. If the above requirement is met complete this Authorization Request Form and email it in electronic format to: PEIoutcomes@dmh.lacounty.gov.

 

 

If you do not have a Contract Provider C#, the following forms are needed:

 

• Application Access form

 

http://lacdmh.lacounty.gov/hipaa/documents/AAF_Fillable_05_2014.pdf

 

 

• Confidentiality Oath form

 

http://lacdmh.lacounty.gov/hipaa/documents/Confidentiality_Oath_Non-LAC-DMH_Workforce.pdf

 

 

• Downey Data Center Registration form (includes the County of Los Angeles Agreement for Acceptable Use form)

 

http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dmh/1037483_DowneyDataCenterRegistrationNon-Employees.pdf

 

 

Complete all forms and, E-mail them to: systemsaccessunit@dmh.lacounty.gov

 

 

Log on to EPSDT OMA

 

 

The direct link for the application is: https://dmhepsdt.dynamics365portals.us/

 

EPSDT OMA can also be accessed through the DMH public facing site here: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/for-providers/web-apps/

 

EPSDT OMA User Manual can be found here.

 

If you have a technical issue with the EPSDT OMA Application, call the Help Desk: 213-351-1335 ~ Available M-F, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM or open a ticket using the HEAT Self Service portal .