What Is a System of Care?

A System of Care is a coordinated network of community-based services and supports designed to meet the physical, emotional, behavioral, and social needs of children, youth, and families. Rather than working in isolation, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and families come together in partnership to deliver care that is collaborative, culturally responsive, family-driven, and youth-guided.

The approach is built on the belief that individuals and families do best when they have access to integrated services that honor their strengths, reflect their unique needs, and are available in their own communities. Systems of Care promote prevention, early intervention, and uninterrupted access to supports—ensuring that no child or family falls through the cracks simply because services are disconnected or difficult to navigate.

This model is not a single program or agency—it’s a framework for how multiple entities work together with shared values and a common goal: to improve outcomes and empower families and young people to thrive. When done well, a System of Care creates stronger partnerships, reduces duplication of efforts, and makes communities more resilient and responsive to the people they serve.

The Southeastern Indiana System of Care

Here in Southeastern Indiana, One Community One Family coordinates and supports our region’s System of Care—a collaborative initiative designed to bring together local partners, families, and youth to strengthen supports for those navigating mental health, substance use, and other complex challenges. Our System of Care serves Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland counties, creating a connected network of services across the region.

The Southeastern Indiana System of Care brings stakeholders together through monthly collaborative meetings, specialized workgroups, and joint community efforts to identify gaps in services, promote shared solutions, and ensure families have access to the right help at the right time. Partners include mental health providers, schools, child welfare and juvenile justice agencies, housing and employment programs, peer recovery organizations, and more.

One of the defining features of our System of Care is that it is youth-guided and family-driven. We believe that families and individuals with lived experience must have a voice in shaping the systems that serve them. By aligning community voices with professional expertise and shared goals, the Southeastern Indiana System of Care works to remove barriers, improve access, and create stronger, more resilient communities.

This work isn’t done by any one organization alone—it’s powered by collaboration, and One Community One Family is proud to serve as the backbone of that effort.

Local System of Care Work & Monthly Meetings

One Community One Family helps coordinate the Southeastern Indiana System of Care by hosting monthly collaborative meetings where partner agencies share data, refine policies, and strategize on service integration. These meetings bring together leaders from resource providing organizations and community stakeholders to review progress and plan joint initiatives.

To learn more about all the meetings held each month to support our community’s System of Care, as well as how to join each meeting, please see our Community & Coalition’s Meetings Calendar for up-to-date information.

Additionally, to learn more about the events happening within our community from us and our many partners, please visit our Community Events Calendar regularly.

The Power of Partnership

At the heart of every effective System of Care is partnership—a deep commitment from diverse community organizations and individuals to work together toward a common goal: improving the lives of children, youth, and families. No single agency can meet all the needs of a family in crisis, but through collaboration, we can build a safety net that is stronger, more responsive, and more sustainable.

In Southeastern Indiana, our System of Care is powered by a broad network of healthcare providers, schools, peer recovery groups, mental health agencies, youth-serving organizations, faith-based partners, child welfare services, and local government agencies. These partners come to the table not only to share resources, but to share responsibility. Through joint trainings, shared referrals, data-informed planning, and community-led initiatives, these collaborations ensure that families get timely access to the right supports—without having to navigate a maze of disconnected services on their own.

Partnership allows us to move beyond treating symptoms and begin addressing the root causes of challenges—like poverty, trauma, and social isolation—by leveraging the collective knowledge, capacity, and creativity of our entire community. It also allows us to respond to emerging issues more quickly and to build programs that are holistic and tailored to local needs.

When agencies align around a shared vision of wellness, recovery, and resilience, the impact is exponential. From shared initiatives like community crisis response teams—including the LIF²T Team or the Suicide and Overdose Fatality Review Teams which One Community One Family directly coordinates—and joint training efforts, to co-located service hubs like Dearborn County CARE’s CARE Resource Connection, which One Community One Family also plays an important direct role in supporting and managing, our region is demonstrating what’s possible when organizations collaborate rather than compete. This is the power of partnership, and it is what turns a collection of services into a true System of Care.

One Community One Family exists to support, strengthen, and sustain these partnerships. We serve as a convener, connector, and champion for the shared work of creating communities where all children and families have the opportunity to thrive. And when you support One Community One Family, you’re supporting all of the impacts our partners make possible—because we’re doing it together.

One Community One Family’s Direct Work

While much of One Community One Family’s role centers around coordinating partnerships and facilitating systems-level collaboration, we also make a direct and meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families across Southeastern Indiana.

One of the most visible ways we do this is through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention trainings. These evidence-based programs are designed to help participants recognize the signs of mental health or substance use challenges, respond appropriately, and connect individuals to care. These trainings aren’t just offered to the general public—we’ve also delivered customized sessions to partner organizations, such as schools, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and peer support programs. By doing so, we help bolster their capacity to serve the community with empathy, awareness, and confidence.

Additionally, we maintain a robust resource hub on our website, where families, providers, and community members can find vetted, up-to-date information on services available across our region. We also post regular updates about new community resources, programs, and events on our Facebook page. And we serve as a trusted voice at state and local tables, advocating for policies and practices that support mental health, recovery, youth empowerment, and family stability.

Each of these efforts contributes to a more connected, responsive, and compassionate community. When you support One Community One Family, you’re supporting real programs, real learning, and real change—all working together to improve lives in Southeastern Indiana.

Why Your Support Matters

While federal and state policies have been the foundational financial support for the agencies that comprise our System of Care, including One Community One Family, recent funding cuts at the federal level place these critical services at risk. Since our founding as a separate and independent organization guiding our region’s System of Care over fifteen years ago in 2014, we have never before requested financial support from the public. However, as One Community One Family’s public funding becomes less certain, private donations—both one‑time gifts and recurring contributions—will now be essential to sustain the partnerships, training programs, and the coordination infrastructure that keep our community’s System of Care thriving. If you believe in empowering families, strengthening community collaborations, and promoting mental health resiliency, please consider supporting One Community One Family today.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Visit onecommunityonefamily.org/get-involved to donate, volunteer, or learn about partnership opportunities. Together, we can ensure that every youth and family in Southeastern Indiana has a seamless, supportive System of Care—today and into the future.