KRS 200.503: Definitions for KRS 200.501 to 200.509.

As used in KRS 200.501 to 200.509, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Child with a behavioral health need" means a child or transition -age youth with, or

at risk of developing, an emotional disability, substance use disorder, or mental,

emotional, or behavioral needs;

(2) "Child with an emotional disability" means a child or transition -age youth with a

clinically significant disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, memory, or

behavior that is listed in the current edition of the American Psychiatric

Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and seriously

limits a child's capacity to function in the home, school, or community;

(3) "Child with a serious emotional disability" means a child or transition -age youth

with a clinically significant disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation,

memory, or behavior that is listed in the current edition of the American Psychiatric

Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and that:

(a) Presents substantial limitations that have persisted for at least one (1) year or

are judged by a mental health professional to be at high risk of continuing for

one (1) year without professional intervention in at least two (2) of the

following five (5) areas: "S elf-care," defined as the ability to provide, sustain,

and protect his or herself at a level appropriate to his or her age; "Interpersonal

relationships," defined as the ability to build and maintain satisfactory

relationships with peers and adults; "Famil y life," defined as the capacity to

live in a family or family type environment; "Self -direction," defined as the

child's ability to control his or her behavior and to make decisions in a manner

appropriate to his or her age; and "Education," defined as th e ability to learn

social and intellectual skills from teachers in available educational settings;

(b) Is a Kentucky resident and is receiving residential treatment for emotional

disability through the interstate compact;

(c) The Department for Community B ased Services has removed the child from

the child's home and has been unable to maintain the child in a stable setting

due to behavioral health needs; or

(d) Is a person under twenty -one (21) years of age meeting the criteria of

paragraph (a) of this subs ection and who was receiving services prior to age

eighteen (18) that must be continued for therapeutic benefit;

(4) "Least restrictive alternative mode of treatment" means treatment given in the least

confining setting which will provide a child or transi tion-age youth with an

emotional disability or serious emotional disability appropriate treatment or care

consistent with accepted professional practice. For purposes of this section, least

restrictive alternative mode of treatment may include an institutional placement;

(5) "System of care" means a spectrum of effective, community -based services and

supports for children and transition -age youth with or at risk of developing

behavioral health needs and their families, that is organized into a coordinated

network, builds meaningful partnerships with families and youth, and addresses

their cultural and linguistic needs, in order to help them to function better at home,

in school, in the community, and throughout life; and

(6) "Transition-age youth" means indi viduals between the ages of sixteen (16) and

twenty-five (25).