FAMILY SERVICES OF

GRANT COUNTYINTRODUCING:

PACT MANAGER

KATHY GARTNERBy Tatyana Radchishina

FSGC Mission StatementFamily Services of Grant County believes people who

experience physical, economical or cultural challenges are valuable contributors to the quality of our diverse community. Our strength-based partnership promote growth through quality health and educational programs. We imagine, design and grow innovative solutions for every individual to achieve success.

VISION STATEMENT Every child should be wanted Children and adults learn best in context of responsive

relationships A child’s primary and most important relationship is formed with

his/hers parent(s) or primary caregiver Parents are primary educators for their children All families have strengths and can be empowered to overcome

the barriers achieving their goals Early intervention and involvement, including during pregnancy,

increases positive results in child development and parenting skills and the likelihood of family success

Partnership forged with parents and the community provides the best results for children

We are growth agents who provide individuals and families with tools and services, including assistance, support, education, advocacy, problem solving, linkages and leadership opportunities

Learning is a life-long process

SERVICES ORGANIZATION OFFER Family Planning Early Head Star (for pregnant women

and children under three) Head Start Pre-school (ages 3to5) P.A.C.T (Parents and Children Together)

P.A.C.T’S GOAL Is to reunify the children with their

families. Create a positive secure and

educationally rich environment for children, in which their needs are met

Increase parents knowledge and skills in parenting

Improve parent’s ability to understand their children’s verbal and nonverbal cues and effectively meet their child’s needs

P.A.C.T BELIEVES: It is important to build relationships with

the children’s biological parents, foster parents, social workers and child care providers.

PACT offers a neutral place for those who love and care for child to work together in the child’s best interest

KATHY’S JOB DUTIES/TYPICAL DAY The P.A.C.T manager is responsible for

oversight of PACT program, supervises PACT staff and ensures Early Head Start performance standards are met. The P.A.C.T Manager insures to DCFS system and PACT are coordinating common goals for the children and families. She provides leadership at regular interdisciplinary staff meetings, ensures proper communication with DCFS, court systems and other providers and offers appropriate client assessment information, etc.

KATHY LIKES

Most Least

Interacting with clients Not having enough resources to refer clients to

Monitoring social workers, facilitator, resource connector

Experience funding cuts

Working with partners/providers

Staff is overwhelmed with workload

Reaching out to people

Making difference in peoples lives

Assisting clients with services

CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT Abuse could be identified as a failure of

a parent, guardian or other caregiver to provide for a child's basic needs.

Neglect may be identified as a:Lack of food, shelter parenting supervisionMedical failure to provide physical and

mental health treatmentsEducational failure to educate a child or

attend special needsEmotional inattention to child’s emotional

needs, failure to provide psychological care or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF INTERVENTION Safety consideration for caseworkers when

dealing with a domestic violence Steps to enhance caseworker safety

conducting meetings being aware of your surroundings

Notify a supervisor of any dangerous situations

Ensuring accessible exits when meeting the abuser

Providing oversight and review of appropriate child welfare practices

Supporting and encouraging collaborative relationships

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF PREVENTION Agency providers need to work

together sponsor various trainings to help educate people on how they can change their behaviors etc. Also door to door canvassing to educate people through block watch groups etc.

TO KNOW FOR SOCIAL WORKER: Following up with their clients

educating them about the danger of child abuse and neglect

Understanding the process of mandated reporters and how to follow up with the process is very important

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2lZsmrFT4g

Concrete Angel Child Abuse Awareness

Our goal is to become agents of change!

p.s. please copy and paste link to view