Minnesota Statute 245.4885, Subd. 1 requires counties to determine the level of care needed before admitting children and youth to mental health inpatient and residential programs. This statute also directed DHS to approve a validated tool for assessing a child’s functional status and assigning an appropriate corresponding level of care.
Effective February 2009, DHS established the Child and Adolescent Service Intensity Instrument (CASII) as the approved tool for determining the treatment level most appropriate to the clinical assessment of a child’s mental health needs. The CASII quantifies the clinical complexity and service needs according to several dimensions. The Early Childhood Service Intensity Instrument (ECSII) is used to assign the appropriate level of care for children under the age of 6 years.
While children are in residential treatment, providers are also to administer the CASII periodically so that facilities, counties and health plans can assess children’s status and service needs.
