Caregiver Support

Child InterventionIntake Statistics

Calgary and Area 2013:

The Region received 14,100 reports about a child or youth who may be in need of intervention services.

Approximately 7,000 of those reports received an initial Safety Phase Assessment.

Following the initial assessment, approximately 2,200 cases proceeded on to a more detailed assessment.

From these assessments, approximately 24% (1,680 children) were opened to Ongoing cases to provide Intervention Services.

Children/Youth in CareRegional Statistics

Approximately 63% of children (1,700) receiving

protective services reside within a continuum of in care options (December 2013).

This is includes foster care (920), group care and residential treatment services (180) as well as Kinship Care (366). Youth in care may also be living in a room and board arrangement, and/or be semi-independent.

Children’s Services contracts with a number of agencies to provide care for kids along the continuum of care options.

Foster CareRegional Statistics

# of Homes Licensed Capacity

Authority Foster Homes 326 808

Agency Foster Homes 218 528

TOTAL (December 2013) 544 1,336

Kinship CareRegional Statistics

Kinship Care is an opportunity for people who have a relationship with a child coming into care, or who is already in care to become their caregivers.

Kin caregivers may be relatives, friends or people from the child’s faith or cultural community.

Approximately 22% of children (365) receiving in care services reside with kin.

(December 2013).

Desired Outcomes Supporting vulnerable children to live

successfully in the Community Children in temporary care will be

reunited quickly with their family Children in permanent care will be placed

in permanent homes as quickly as possible Youth will be transitioned to adulthood

successfully Aboriginal children will live in culturally

appropriate placements

7

Regional Approach to Caregiver Support

A Team Based Holistic Care Model

8

Primary Focus Areas

Child Wellbeing

Caregiver Capacity

Communication and Planning

Enhancing Child Wellbeing

9

What constitutes child well being? - Physical wellbeing- Emotional wellbeing- Spiritual wellbeing- Mental well being

Who is responsible?- The child’s team, including family, caregivers, community

members, social workers and other professionals.

How will we make this happen?- Clinical support as kids come into care- Developmental and trauma screenings- Implementation of developmental plans- Implementation of cultural plans

Increasing Caregiver Capacity

10

What is caregiver capacity? - Skills- Knowledge- AbilityTo promote overall child wellbeing to reach regional outcomes (stay home, go home, loving home, healthy adults, all in a cultural context)

Who is responsible?- Foster Care support workers, Kinnections facilitators, child’s

social worker, clinicians & other professionals, as well as community supports.

How will we make this happen?- BICS- Collaborative Mental Health- Core training and Supplemental Training- Community Resources ie Triple P, CRC, HFWA- Live coaching by support workers by in-home teaching and

training.- Education, health and mental health

Improved Communication and Planning

11

What do we want to communicate and plan for? “ one child one plan”- Decision making among team members- Meaningful and understood by all parties- Everything from day-to-day activities to long term planning and

goals.

Who is responsible?- The child’s team, including family, caregivers, community

members, social workers and other professionals.

How will we make this happen?- Intentional, meaningful and focused meetings- Working towards intended outcomes- Defining the components of the plan (ie culture, visits,

development, crisis intervention).

12

Case Example

13

The Big Questions

1. What does this mean for caregivers?

2. What can I expect to see differently in the upcoming months?

3. What benefits will there be?

14

What does this mean for caregivers? Predictable, consistent intake process.

Timely information.

A meaningful plan of care.

More professionals in your home early after placement. Active participation in “assessments,” and screening.

More contact with bio-families, in a safe and meaningful way.

Being a respected team member.

Increased support during a crisis.

15

What can I expect to see differently in the upcoming months?

• A phone call from a clinician: Green Yellow Red

• Intakes within 30 days, with regularly scheduled follow-up meetings. Clinical support at the time of placement in your home.

• Implementation of the screening tools in your home (ASQ, ASQ SE and the Trauma Symptom Checklist).

• Development of the child’s profile, plan.

• Practical strategies and tools to use with ongoing support.

• Greater engagement with Community Resources.

16

What Benefits will there Be?

• Caregivers will be better equipped to care for children with complex needs.

• The right support for children and caregivers at the right time.

• Smoother transitions for all.

• Shared understanding and responsibility for team members.

• Confidence to work through the challenges kids in care face.

• Our desired outcomes will be reached.

PLC’s in Region 3

Currently we have 13 PLC’s in our region All have resources and supports that are

available to parents, children and caregivers

18

Child Intervention Intake Line – 403 297 2995Foster Care Screening/Recruitment Line – 403 297 5957

Child Care Intake Line – 403 297 8033Adoption Intake Line – 403 297 6038

Need more information?Visit our website:

www.calgaryandareacfsa.gov.ab.ca