Alternative Response in Louisiana

Together We Can Conference

October 6, 2010

Walter Fahr, MSW, LCSW

Outline

• What is Alternative/Differential Response

• Who is using it

• Why is it being used-Data

• What does it look like in Louisiana

• Key elements to a successful program

• Engaging Families with AR/DR

• Solution Focused Questions.

Alternative Response Resources

• American Humane

– http://www.americanhumane.org/protecting-children/programs/differential-response/

Contributors to this Presentation

• All the DCFS staff using AR

• Especially the Baton Rouge region AR staff

• Kingsley House- New Orleans

• Sue Lohrbach Olmsted County, MN

• Jerry Patton, SELU

• Pat Schene, Senior Fellow AHA

Definition of AR

 • DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE, ALSO REFERRED TO

AS “DUAL TRACK,” “MULTIPLE TRACK,” OR “ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE,” IS AN APPROACH THAT ALLOWS CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO ACCEPTED REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, BASED ON SUCH FACTORS AS THE TYPE AND SEVERITY OF THE ALLEGED MALTREATMENT, NUMBER AND SOURCES OF PREVIOUS REPORTS, AND WILLINGNESS OF THE FAMILY TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVICES-American Humane

AR-Pat Schene

• DR is a way to serve more of the legitimate reports (screened in) at an earlier stage by engaging families in a non

-adversarial process of linking them to needed services

• Sets aside fault finding and substantiation decision

Why Implement Differential Response?-Pat Schene

• The majority of investigations do not result

in any services being provided. Since the overwhelming majority of cases are not served through court orders, evidence collection is not always needed

• Differential Response allows the system to move more quickly to address safety needs

DCFS Definition of ARThe family assessment is an alternative response to an investigation of a report of child abuse/neglect. It is a safety focused, family centered and strength-based approach to addressing reports. A family assessment is completed to determine the safety of the child, the risk of future abuse/neglect to identify the family needs and strengths; provide direct services as needed and appropriate; and/or,connect the family to resources in the community. As a strength-based intervention, it draws on the strengths and resources of the family members to address safety and/or risk issues. The process seeks to discover periods of successful family functioning, understanding the factors that made those periods possible, and work to recreate those factors. It assumes that people are best understood within the context of their own environment and when they are allowed to define their own circumstances and capacities. Also, it assumes that families who are supported by kin and community are the most likely to have positive outcomes.

DCFS Policy Alternative Response

For

AR IS APPROPRIATE

Children and families who appear to be at lower risk or who present less immediate

safety concerns. These families’ circumstances may not warrant a traditional CPS

response, but can benefit from some intervention to prevent potential or future

maltreatment.

Core Elements of AR• Two or more discrete responses to reports of

maltreatment that are screened in and accepted

• Assignment to response pathways is determined by array of factors

• Original response assignments can be changed

• Ability of families who receive a non-investigatory response to accept or refuse to participate in Alternative Response or to choose the Traditional Investigation Response.

Core Elements Continued…• After assessment, services are voluntary for families

who receive a non-investigatory response (as long as child safety is not compromised)

• Establishment of discrete responses is codified in statute, policy, protocols

• No substantiation of alleged maltreatment and services are offered without formal determination that maltreatment has occurred

• Use of central registry is dependent upon type of response.

• Strong support for family decision making strategies

Common Ground

Outcomes:Safety, Well-Being &

Permanency

Child CenteredFamily Focused

Community Based

Practice Model:safety focused

solution orientedpartnership

collaborationFamily Conferences

SDM

Family Assessment Response

Family Interviews

Finding of a Need for Services

Response 0-5 days

Risk Level Proportionally Lower

Safety Threats Proportionally Lower

Investigative Response

Finding of Maltreatment

Individual Interviews

Subject to Appeal

Immediate Response

Risk Level Proportionally Higher

Safety Threats Proportionally Higher

Alternative Response in Child Protective Services

Sawyer - Lohrbach

Implementation of AR in US

• 12 States-Statewide implementation

• 5 States-Pilot or regional implementation

• 5 States-Planning AR

• 2 States- Tribal implementation only

• 6 States-Other Innovative Response

• 16 States- No AR Implementation

• 4 States-Discontinued AR

14

National Data on AR-NCANDS

• Child Maltreatment 2008

• AR cases Approximately 8% of total findings from 13 states

• 277,947 Children in AR cases(28%)

• 715,760 Children with substantiated(valid) findings(72%)

• Louisiana had 1308 AR children (11%) versus 10,173 substantiated victims.

Article 612(3) of the Louisiana Children’s Code:

“In lieu of an investigation, reports of low levels of risk may be assessed promptly through interviews with the family to identify needs and available match to community resources.”

History of Alternative Response in Louisiana

• 1996-OCS develops AR Task Force• August 1998-AR Pilot in Jefferson Parish• January 1999-AR contract with Kingsley House in

Orleans Parish• November 2005-Kingsley House Contract terminated ( Katrina)• January 2007-AR Planning Committee organized • October 2007-AR begins in BR, Covington, and

Jefferson Regions• March 2008-AR expands to Thibodaux, Lafayette, Lake

Charles regions• May 2008-AR expands to Shreveport, Alexandria,

Monroe and New Orleans regions• February 2010-SDM intake implemented in Baton

Rouge Region, Ascension and Calcasieu Parishes• June 2010- SDM intake expands statewide

Questions still needing answers:Are children whose families participate in the non-investigation pathway as safe as or safer than children whose families participate in the investigation pathway?

How is the non-investigation pathway different from the investigation pathway in terms of family engagement, caseworker practice and services provided?

What are the cost and funding implications to the child protection agency of the implementation and maintenance of a differential response approach?

Percentage of AR Cases of Accepted Cases October 2007-July 2010

Parish Oct 07-Sep 09 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010

Jefferson 20% 17% 33% 44%

Orleans 5

Baton Rouge 15 44 38 31

Covington 24 23 35 35

Thibodaux 9 21 36 51

Lafayette 23 7 31 36

Lake Charles 14 34 34 29

Alexandria 16 34 34 33

Shreveport 12 8 26 28

Monroe 11 12 29 33

Statewide 11% 21% 32% 35%

Solution Focused Questions for Families

Based on a presentation by Sue Lohrbach

Fahr’s Key to Success in AR

• Stakeholder support

• Adequate PAF funds.

Staging For Success: Assumptions About Families

Until proven otherwise, the belief is that all families want to:

• Be proud of their children

• Have a positive impact on their children

• Hear good news about their children and learn what their children are good at

• Give their children a good education and a good chance at success

• Have a good relationship with their children

• Be hopeful about their children

Staging for Success: Assumptions About Children & Youth

Based on observations and listening, the belief is that all children want to:

• Have their families be proud of them• Please their parents and other adults• Be accepted and part of the social group in

which they live• Learn new things• Be active and involved in activities with

others

• Be surprised and surprise others

• Voice their opinions and choices

• Make choices when given an opportunity

Back Pocket Skill Setfor AR Workers

• * Scaling Questions

• * Exception Finding Questions

• * Coping Questions

• * Miracle Questions

• * Details & Amplification

• * Goal Focus

Building an Invitation List: Amplification

• Draw a picture (e.g. genogram, tree…) * on paper * with words * other (include pets)

• Who is in your family? * BIG PICTURE * Who else and who else? * Who is missing? * Where do they fit?

Downsizing As Needed: Scaling Question

• On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is “no way” and 10 is “absolutely”, how willing are you to include everyone in this picture?

* If you were to “downsize”, where would

you start?

* How did you decide?

* Pros/Cons?

* What might they think?

Laying the Groundwork: Children & Youth

• Call upon play and pictures in addition to words and stories

• Know developmental milestones

• Work with parents and caregivers

• Work with child/youth’s adult network

• Be ready to translate

• Be flexible

Possibilities: Coping, Scaling, Amplification & Exceptions

• What do you think will stack this meeting for success?

• How could we make that work?

• Who needs to be in the mix of planning?

• What else and what else would be helpful?

• Given that has been a struggle, what other ideas do you have?

• When was there a time when folks got together and things went well?

• What might have made the difference? What else?

• How did you cope with everything you just described?

• What keeps you going?

• What is it about you that got you through such a struggle without giving up hope?

• On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is “zip” and 10 is “good to go”, how willing are you to give this a try? What would move you one step closer to a 10?

Safety: Scaling, Amplification & Coping

• On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is “completely stressed” and 10 is “prepared to manage”, how confident are you that you are safe enough in the meeting to fully participate in plan making?

• What is currently in place for your number to be that high?

• What could we put in place that might increase your confidence/safety by one number?

• What/who have you called upon in the past that has been helpful in similar situations? What/who else?

• What do you think the impact will be on you when you/they are in the same space together? Impact on children? Others?

Openings/Closings: Amplification

• What would be your hope for starting out the meeting?

• What are the important ways your family begins conversations/gatherings?

• How will you know the meeting was successful? The plan workable?

• When you think about the decision to be made and developing a plan, what information needs to be at the table to help the family? What else and what else?