Since 2005, HSC has been developing and implementing Coordination of Services Teams (COST) as a strategy for school sites to coordinate learning and wellness supports for students. We partner with school districts to support the implementation and sustainability of COST teams at school sites. We provide training, coaching, and technical assistance to COST coordinators, administrators, school leaders, teachers, and other school staff to support high-quality implementation of this care coordination approach.

COST teams, a multidisciplinary group of school staff and providers, perform four major tasks:
 

1. Identify students through a schoolwide referral system.
2. Assess referred students by exploring their strengths and identifying opportunities to offer them additional supports at school.
3. Coordinate efforts to link students to appropriate supports, track progress, and build tailored interventions.
4. Expand learning supports at the school, make recommendations about resource allocation, and recruit new resources.

 
The featured COST Toolkit is divided into two sections:
 

1. The COST Guide includes an overview section, a section on getting started, and a section on implementing the key components of COST. In each section you will find a detailed explanation of the topic, along with case studies, helpful tips, and a list of related tools
2. The COST Tools include an Introduction to COST PPT and Handouts; Tip Sheets; and editable Word or Excel docs, e.g. COST Confidentiality Form, COST Referral Form.docx; and COST Rubric

 
There is also a COST Progress Report Readiness to Learn that documents best practices and lessons learned from implementing COST in Alameda County’s schools. Published in 2020, the report details the role and impact of the COST model in supporting school systems, and documents best practices and lessons learned that schools should consider in planning and implementing COST.

Coordination of Services Teams Toolkit

• COST Toolkit – Guide Only
• COST Toolkit Handouts
• COST Toolkit Tips
• COST Toolkit Training Materials
• COST Toolkit Forms

Coordination of Services Teams Resources

• Readiness to Learn COST Progress Report