Shalini’s Story

Shalini is a young woman who knows exactly where she’s headed. A chance experience tutoring young children as a high school student while in SCO’s foster care program ignited her passion for teaching, and now guides her every step.

With a razor-sharp focus on achieving her goals, Shalini has mapped out her immediate and long-term plans. First, she’ll graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in early education. And then it’s off to graduate school to earn her master’s in teaching. A few years ago, these might have been considered lofty goals, but with the right supports in place, Shalini is well on her way.

Shalini was placed in SCO’s Foster Care program after the death of her father 9 years ago. While safe and well-cared for by her foster family, she was angry and worried about the future. “I needed a team to support me and advise me, and give me the right tools to succeed,” she reflects.

And a team is exactly what she received. SCO provided the resources, services, and guidance she needed to become her best self. During high school, a team of education and mental health specialists helped Shalini overcome obstacles and helped her to realize she “did not have to transition to adulthood alone.” She participated in mentoring programs, made new connections, and built relationships with other young adults in care. As her confidence grew, Shalini began tutoring children from a nearby elementary school as part of her program with SCO. That was the “aha” moment that shaped her future. She fell in love with teaching!

When it was time for college, SCO’s staff helped Shalini complete applications, navigate financial aid, and apply to the Dorm Project, which enables her to live in a college dorm all year round. Her SCO coach remains a constant presence and is even helping Shalini work towards getting a driver’s license.

Today, Shalini is a rising junior at Hunter College, and we have no doubt she will achieve all she sets out to accomplish.

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Care Management

Health Home Care Management helps keep families healthier (children and adult family members.) An SCO Care Manager can help manage and coordinate health care, behavioral health and service needs for eligible participants. Think of a Care Manager as your point person for everyone involved in your child’s care.

What is a Health Home?

Health Home brochureA Health Home is not a building or a place. It is a team of professionals who work together to make sure all of your family’s joint and individual needs are being met. The care team is led by an SCO Health Home Care Manager who becomes the point person for everyone involved in your family’s care.

Read our brochure»

What does a Care Manager do?

Health home puzzleThe Care Manager helps manage and coordinate health care, behavioral health and service needs, working with each family to develop a care plan that lists the needs and goals along with the providers and services needed to reach those goals. As a member of SCO Care Management, you and your child will receive a person-centered, family-focused approach to your care coordination and health promotion services, driven by the needs identified by you and your family (such as education, housing, employment, income, food, child care, community support) in order to promote overall health and wellness. Your SCO Care Manager is your partner in helping you manage your family’s overall health care needs.

Why do I need a Health Home?

A child or young adult may see many health professionals from different agencies and at multiple locations. It can be very difficult to coordinate all of that care. With SCO Care Management, a Care Manager is there to help you. He or she will make sure everyone has a full picture of your family member’s needs, goals, and progress. This will lead to better results, better care, and can help avoid trips to the emergency room.

Who is eligible?

All family members (birth to end-of-life) who are eligible for Medicaid and have certain medical or behavioral health conditions may qualify for a Health Home. This includes children and young adults in SCO’s foster care, preventive, mental health, educational, medical and residential programs. In certain situations, the caregiver of an eligible child may also be eligible to receive Health Home services.

There are no out of pocket costs to participate in a Health Home and receive Care Management services. It is covered under Medicaid.

How do I sign up?

Call the Health Home enrollment hotline at 718.674.7703 or email us at healthhome@sco.org.

SCO Care Management Referral Packet»

This program is associated with...

A Vibrant Brownsville

Brownsville, Brooklyn is a vibrant, evolving, and unique neighborhood; and SCO is proud of our partnership with the community for over three decades.  Read More

Madonna Heights

Providing an environment that teaches, strengthens and encourages young and adult women to heal from trauma. Read More

Success Stories

Faiz

RJMCC & Tyree Learning Center

“His progress has been exponential. In barely a year, he’s surpassed everyone’s expectations. It’s been transformative.” Learn More

Shalini’s Story

Shalini is a young woman who knows exactly where she’s headed. A chance experience tutoring young children as a high school student while in SCO’s foster care program ignited her passion for teaching, and now guides her every step. With a razor-sharp focus on achieving her goals, Shalini has mapped… Learn More

99%

of at-risk families throughout Brooklyn & Queens remained together and stable with family support services

95%

of women in our residential recovery program remained substance free

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