child welfare system “how it fits together” presented by: nancy goodman mary sheppard presented...
TRANSCRIPT
Child Welfare System
“How it fits together”
Child Welfare System
“How it fits together”
Presented by:Nancy GoodmanMary Sheppard
Presented by:Nancy GoodmanMary Sheppard
Basic AssumptionsBasic Assumptions
Children:Should be safeShould live with their
familiesShould be safe with a
permanent family
Children:Should be safeShould live with their
familiesShould be safe with a
permanent family
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
Physical abuseSexual abuseEmotional abuseGeneral neglectSevere neglectExploitation
Physical abuseSexual abuseEmotional abuseGeneral neglectSevere neglectExploitation
CWS SystemCWS System
PL 96-272 Basic Framework established in federal
law (Social Security Act): Titles IV-B (services) Title IV-E (Foster care and adoption
assistance) Implemented in State Statutes
WIC 300’s As interpreted in Regulation
CWS: MPP (Manual of Policies and Procedures) Div 31
Adoptions: CCR (California Code of Regulations) Title 22
PL 96-272 Basic Framework established in federal
law (Social Security Act): Titles IV-B (services) Title IV-E (Foster care and adoption
assistance) Implemented in State Statutes
WIC 300’s As interpreted in Regulation
CWS: MPP (Manual of Policies and Procedures) Div 31
Adoptions: CCR (California Code of Regulations) Title 22
Types of ServicesTypes of Services
Emergency Response (ER) Family Maintenance (FM) Family Reunification (FR) Permanent Placement (PP)
The four traditional service components of theprogram were established through state legislation (Senate Bill 14) enacted in 1982 to implement federal requirements under Public Law 96-272
Emergency Response (ER) Family Maintenance (FM) Family Reunification (FR) Permanent Placement (PP)
The four traditional service components of theprogram were established through state legislation (Senate Bill 14) enacted in 1982 to implement federal requirements under Public Law 96-272
Emergency Response (ER)Emergency Response (ER)
Each county has a local 24-Hour Hotline Key questions at this stage include:
Is the child in imminent danger? What is the risk of maltreatment? Does the suspected child abuse meet the legal definition of
abuse or neglect? Is an in-person response required and, if so, how quickly?
Evaluate out or In-Person Response within 10 days or immediate
Standardized Safety Assessment System Structured Decision Making (SDM) Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT)
Each county has a local 24-Hour Hotline Key questions at this stage include:
Is the child in imminent danger? What is the risk of maltreatment? Does the suspected child abuse meet the legal definition of
abuse or neglect? Is an in-person response required and, if so, how quickly?
Evaluate out or In-Person Response within 10 days or immediate
Standardized Safety Assessment System Structured Decision Making (SDM) Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT)
Decision Points for Standardized Safety
Assessment
Decision Points for Standardized Safety
AssessmentDetermine Response Initial Safety DeterminationPlacementReferral DispositionCase Planning: (Initial/Change)ReunificationCase Closure
Determine Response Initial Safety DeterminationPlacementReferral DispositionCase Planning: (Initial/Change)ReunificationCase Closure
Differential ResponseDifferential Response
• Over 600,000 referrals annually• Prior to CWSI
• Services provided only to cases that meet the threshold for abuse or neglect – 8% of referrals
• New• Pilots: targeted geographically, by population
or both• All referrals receive appropriate level of
response• CBO response• CWS and CBO joint response• CWS response
• Goal• Provide prevention/intervention services to at risk
families• Reduce the number of children entering child welfare
services and the need for high-end services later
• Over 600,000 referrals annually• Prior to CWSI
• Services provided only to cases that meet the threshold for abuse or neglect – 8% of referrals
• New• Pilots: targeted geographically, by population
or both• All referrals receive appropriate level of
response• CBO response• CWS and CBO joint response• CWS response
• Goal• Provide prevention/intervention services to at risk
families• Reduce the number of children entering child welfare
services and the need for high-end services later
Differential ResponseDifferential Response
Path 1: For children with no to low risk of abuse and neglect and who do not meet the legal or statutory criteria for intervention and response. These referrals are referred directly to a community-based organization and do not enter into the child welfare system.
Path 2: For children with moderate risk of abuse and neglect and who do meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker along with a community-based partner will respond and conduct an in-person contact.
Path 3: For children with high risk of abuse and neglect and who again meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker will respond to these referrals alone and conduct an in-person contact. This path is most similar to the child welfare system’s traditional response.
Path 1: For children with no to low risk of abuse and neglect and who do not meet the legal or statutory criteria for intervention and response. These referrals are referred directly to a community-based organization and do not enter into the child welfare system.
Path 2: For children with moderate risk of abuse and neglect and who do meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker along with a community-based partner will respond and conduct an in-person contact.
Path 3: For children with high risk of abuse and neglect and who again meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker will respond to these referrals alone and conduct an in-person contact. This path is most similar to the child welfare system’s traditional response.
Family Maintenance (FM)Family Maintenance (FM)
Provides protective services to families in order to keep children in the home or keep family unit in tact.
Services may include referrals for: Counseling Emergency Shelter Care Respite Care Emergency in-home caretakers Substance Abuse Treatment Domestic Violence Intervention Victim services Parenting Education.
May be a voluntary agreement with parents or could have court intervention
Provides protective services to families in order to keep children in the home or keep family unit in tact.
Services may include referrals for: Counseling Emergency Shelter Care Respite Care Emergency in-home caretakers Substance Abuse Treatment Domestic Violence Intervention Victim services Parenting Education.
May be a voluntary agreement with parents or could have court intervention
Hearings continue every 6 months until
dependency is dismissed
StatusReview
Hearings
Child Welfare System
Out of Home Placement
Emergency:• Home Visit• Criminal Record• Child Abuse Index
Ongoing:Family Assessment
6 MonthHearing
(12 mos)Permanency
Hearing
(18 mos)Permanency
ReviewHearing
Continue FR
Continue FR
Permanency
Alternative Identified
Family Reunificatio
n
No FR
Long-TermFoster Care
.26Hearing
TPR for Adoption or Order Guardianship
End FRNO
FamilyMaintenanc
e Services
Referral to CPS
CPS responds
DetentionHearing
Child Removed? Yes
Child Returned
Child Returned
Dispo/JurisHearings
FR
Family Reunification (FR)Family Reunification (FR)
Time limited services to help reunify the family
6 month review hearing 12 month review hearing 18 month permanency hearing
Case plan of family reunification may include
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) issues Mental health Housing Employment
Concurrent plan of permanency
Time limited services to help reunify the family
6 month review hearing 12 month review hearing 18 month permanency hearing
Case plan of family reunification may include
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) issues Mental health Housing Employment
Concurrent plan of permanency
CasePlan
Permanency
Reunification Services
Concurrent Services
Concurrent Planning 101
“...the case plan shall describe the services to be provided to assist in reunification and the services to be provided concurrently to achieve legal permanence with a new family if efforts to reunify fail.” WIC 16501.1
Permanent Placement (PP)Permanent Placement (PP)
To ensure Children that they can grow up in a permanent, safe, and secure living arrangement
Most preferred option is reunification with the family
Alternatives: Adoption Legal Guardian Long Term Foster Care
Federal policy prefers adoption as first alternative when children can not live safe with their birth parents.
To ensure Children that they can grow up in a permanent, safe, and secure living arrangement
Most preferred option is reunification with the family
Alternatives: Adoption Legal Guardian Long Term Foster Care
Federal policy prefers adoption as first alternative when children can not live safe with their birth parents.
Going Through the Child Welfare System
Going Through the Child Welfare System
Report Called into HotlineReport of suspected child abuse or neglect is called into the county Child Abuse Hotline by a mandated reporter or concerned individual
Call ScreenedHotline social worker screens call to determine if an investigation is warranted.
In-Person Investigation or Path 2 & 3An ER social worker conducts an in-person investigation to assess evidence of child abuse or neglect.
Referral Allegation Substantiated Investigation confirms evidence of child abuse or neglect
Voluntary Services ProvidedChild remains at home for 30 days or up to 6 months of voluntary Family Maintenance.
Voluntary services FailThe abuse continues, a new report of abuse or neglect is confirmed, or voluntary services fail for other reasons.
Dependency Petition FiledA petition is filed in juvenile dependency court by the child welfare agency, beginning a series of judicial hearings.
Child Becomes a Dependent of the Court Court places child under it’s jurisdiction.
Family ReunificationCourt orders the child placed in out-of-home (foster) care to keep child safe, and orders child welfare agency to develop reunification plan with parents.
Permanency PlanningCourt decides child cannot safely be returned home and/or efforts to reunify with birth family should end; orders another permanent placement plan to be selected.
Family ReunifiedFamily Successfully completes service plan and child is returned home.
Referral Evaluated OutThe Hotline social worker asses the evidence and decides it is not sufficient to open a case.
Case Dismissed or SettledCourt finds insufficient grounds for petition or that the problems that brought the family into court have been remedied.
Referral ClosedInvestigation determines suspected abuse or neglect is unfounded or evidence is inconclusive.
Case ClosedER services or Family Maintenance succeeds in providing a safe and secure environment for the child.
Family maintenance FailsA petition for the removal of the child from its family is filed with dependency court.
Case Dismissed or SettledCourt finds problems that brought family into court have been remedied.
Family MaintenanceCourt leaves child at home and orders child welfare agency to develop a case plan and provide services to the family.
Child Removed from HomeChild is taken into custody and placed in an emergency shelter or foster home.
Cross-Report FiledIf evidence of abuse is found, a cross-report is sent to law enforcement for further action.
Differential Response or Path 1Referral sent to community based partner.
California Child and Family Services Review
(AB 636 or C-CFSR)
California Child and Family Services Review
(AB 636 or C-CFSR)
A system of continuous improvement
PurposePurpose
To ensure county child welfare and probation agencies improve outcomes for children and families.
To measure, track, and monitor counties on an ongoing basis.
To align California’s oversight To align California’s oversight system with the Federal system. system with the Federal system.
To ensure county child welfare and probation agencies improve outcomes for children and families.
To measure, track, and monitor counties on an ongoing basis.
To align California’s oversight To align California’s oversight system with the Federal system. system with the Federal system.
State & Federal OutcomesState & Federal Outcomes
Safety Permanence Well Being
3 Major Efforts Standardized Safety Assessment Differential Response Permanency and Youth Transition
All three efforts underscore the principle of fairness and equity for all children and families touched by the CWS system. All three efforts are rooted in the desire to generate more positive and lasting results for California’s most vulnerable children by building on family strengths, developing community support, and directly engaging family members and youth in decision-making about their lives.
Safety Permanence Well Being
3 Major Efforts Standardized Safety Assessment Differential Response Permanency and Youth Transition
All three efforts underscore the principle of fairness and equity for all children and families touched by the CWS system. All three efforts are rooted in the desire to generate more positive and lasting results for California’s most vulnerable children by building on family strengths, developing community support, and directly engaging family members and youth in decision-making about their lives.
Performance & Core Elements
Performance & Core Elements
How do we know if we’re doing a good job?
Quarterly County Data Reports County Self Assessments Peer Quality Case Reviews
County System Improvement Plans
State Self Assessment
How do we know if we’re doing a good job?
Quarterly County Data Reports County Self Assessments Peer Quality Case Reviews
County System Improvement Plans
State Self Assessment
Why CWS & CalWORKs fit together
Why CWS & CalWORKs fit together
Reduce bureaucracy.Coordinate services for families to
help meet requirements, goals, and timelines.
Promote better outcomes.Together CWS and CalWORKs put
parenting first.
Reduce bureaucracy.Coordinate services for families to
help meet requirements, goals, and timelines.
Promote better outcomes.Together CWS and CalWORKs put
parenting first.
Who are mandated reporters?
Who are mandated reporters?
Mandated child abuse reporters include all those individuals and entities listed in Penal Code Section 11165.7.
Examples: Teachers, Public Assistance Worker, Social worker, Probation Officer, Nurse, Doctor, Firefighter, A coroner, etc.
Prior to commencing his or her employment, he or she shall sign a statement on a form provided by their employer to the effect that he or she knows of the provision so Penal Code 11166 (requiring him or her to report known or suspected child abuse).
Mandated child abuse reporters include all those individuals and entities listed in Penal Code Section 11165.7.
Examples: Teachers, Public Assistance Worker, Social worker, Probation Officer, Nurse, Doctor, Firefighter, A coroner, etc.
Prior to commencing his or her employment, he or she shall sign a statement on a form provided by their employer to the effect that he or she knows of the provision so Penal Code 11166 (requiring him or her to report known or suspected child abuse).
Purpose of ReportingPurpose of Reporting
Protect the childTo provide help for the parents
when the abuse is occurring in the home.
It is the law.
Protect the childTo provide help for the parents
when the abuse is occurring in the home.
It is the law.
Making a ReportMaking a Report
The mandated reporter must give his or her name when reporting known or suspected child abuse. (Penal Code 11167)
The following information is required if known when making the telephone report:
Name, business address and telephone number of the mandated reporter
The capacity that makes the person a mandated reporter The information that gave rise to the reasonable suspicion of
the child abuse or neglect and the source of that information. The Child’s name. The address and present location of the child. If applicable, the child’s school, grade and class. The names, addresses, and telephone number of the child’s
parents or guardians. The name, address, telephone number, and other relevant
personal information about the person(s) who may have abused the child.
The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of this information is not known or is uncertain.
The mandated reporter must give his or her name when reporting known or suspected child abuse. (Penal Code 11167)
The following information is required if known when making the telephone report:
Name, business address and telephone number of the mandated reporter
The capacity that makes the person a mandated reporter The information that gave rise to the reasonable suspicion of
the child abuse or neglect and the source of that information. The Child’s name. The address and present location of the child. If applicable, the child’s school, grade and class. The names, addresses, and telephone number of the child’s
parents or guardians. The name, address, telephone number, and other relevant
personal information about the person(s) who may have abused the child.
The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of this information is not known or is uncertain.
What Happens to the Reports?
What Happens to the Reports?
The primary purpose of the report is to make relevant agencies aware of the possible abuse.
Once the report is made, it will go through a thorough investigation for the protection of the child.
The primary purpose of the report is to make relevant agencies aware of the possible abuse.
Once the report is made, it will go through a thorough investigation for the protection of the child.
Contact InformationContact Information
Nancy Goodman, Manager Child Welfare Policy & Support Unit
(916) [email protected]
Mary SheppardChild Welfare Special Projects & Program Improvement
Plan
(916) [email protected]
Nancy Goodman, Manager Child Welfare Policy & Support Unit
(916) [email protected]
Mary SheppardChild Welfare Special Projects & Program Improvement
Plan
(916) [email protected]