SFDVpresentation

San Francisco: 

San Francisco Family and Children Services Strategies to Achieve the Vision

Slide2: 

Children & Families Best Practice Principles: Family Centered Strength Based Needs Driven Solution Oriented Community Based Anti-Racist Community

FCS Domestic ViolenceGuiding Principles: 

FCS Domestic Violence Guiding Principles FCS has taken as part of its mission a mandate to develop policies and procedures that allow staff to successfully identify, assess and intervene in cases of DV where child maltreatment has occurred or is likely to occur. This process is designed to prevent injuries to children, support non-offending parents, hold offending parents accountable and help ensure a safe environment for all families. DV in itself is not grounds for confirming allegations of child abuse and neglect. DV may be an additional risk factor along with issues of abuse and neglect, and in all cases decisions should be supported by laws and regulations, and informed by best casework practice.

Data on San Francisco and FCS Families Exposed to DV: 

Data on San Francisco and FCS Families Exposed to DV Children and DV in SF: At least 11,000 and as many as 16,500 children and youth (10 – 15% of all children and youth in San Francisco) are exposed to at least one incident of DV each year in SF. Incidence of DV in SF: Between 2003 and 2005, police officers and inspectors responded to at least 16,599 incidents of DV. Sources: ETR Associates, Children’s Research Center, FCS SDM data

Slide5: 

DV and FCS Safety Decisions: When DV was identified in families referred to FCS, 70.3% were provided with appropriate interventions that allowed the children to stay home; in the remaining 30% the children were separated from their families due to an inability to resolve safety concerns in the home. DV and FCS Case Opening Decisions: Between February and June 2007, 34% of all cases opened for ongoing services had DV issues. Data on San Francisco and FCS Families Exposed to DV Sources: ETR Associates, Children’s Research Center, FCS SDM data

2006-07 FCS DV Initiatives: 

2006-07 FCS DV Initiatives Developed caseworker and supervisor protocols for identifying and responding to domestic violence using SDM safety and risk tools. Participated in the Greenbook, SafeStart and Family-to-Family Initiatives to integrate issues of DV into our policy and practice. Developed Differential Response protocols to provide preventive services to families at risk of but not yet involved in the child welfare system.

2006-07 FCS DV Initiatives (cont.): 

2006-07 FCS DV Initiatives (cont.) Hired two full time DV Community Liaisons to provide training support, resources and referrals for FCS staff and families. Committed FCS and TANF funds for a full-time DV Coordinator to build the capacity of FCS, CalWORKs and the community to serve entire families experiencing DV. Received funding from the Domestic Violence Prevention Fund to provide technical assistance to FCS staff to align our strategies with DV best practices and provide training to our Family Resource Center staff.

Key Strategy: CWS Outcome Improvement Project: 

Key Strategy: CWS Outcome Improvement Project Redesign is now known as CWSOIP Three CWSOIP focus areas: Differential Response Standardized Assessments Permanency

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Intake & Differential Response Reporting Party Calls in CWS Intake Review Evaluate (SDM) Determine first face-to-face Response Path Path 3 CWS Only SDM High to Very High Safety Risk Path 2 CWS & Community SDM High to Moderate Safety Risk Path 1 Community Only NO known safety issues Low to Moderate Risk Subsequent Referrals (Assessed by assigned CWS Social Worker) Written feedback to Mandated Reporters only. By Mai Solis, SLO County DSS

DIFFERENTIAL REPONSE: 

DIFFERENTIAL REPONSE The purpose of Differential Response is to have a different response from the investigative response. Do not need to “build a case”. Only need law enforcement, DOJ and Court involvement in serious cases of child abuse, sexual abuse and severe neglect. Social Worker relationship with family is in the best interest of the child. Prevention of the revolving door of referrals is in the best interest of the child, the SW, and the community.

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE: 

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE Embodies key best practice principles. Shift away from “Substantiation” to assessment with a focus on engaging families in the changes they need to make in order to keep their children safe. Key decisions are whether there is a need for a safety plan, based on SDM, and whether services are needed to protect child and strengthen family. Efforts are made to engage the family to participate in the decisions and actions needed to resolve the concerns and to prevent re-referral.

STRUCTURED DECISION MAKING (SDM): 

STRUCTURED DECISION MAKING (SDM) SDM is an objective and validated assessment tool developed by the Children’s Research Center, used in conjunction with Social Worker’s skills. Through a series of questions the SW and the family can assess safety, risk, strengths, needs, reunification readiness and other areas. No tool will ever predict the future. SDM ensures that all Social Workers assess families in the same way and utilizes questions that have been validated over time to predict risk and assess safety factors.

PERMANENCY Definition of Youth Permanency: 

PERMANENCY Definition of Youth Permanency Permanency is both a process and a result that includes involvement of the youth as a participant or leader in finding a permanent connection with at least one committed adult who provides: A safe, stable and secure parenting relationship Love Unconditional commitment Lifelong support in the context of reunification, a legal adoption, or guardianship, where possible, and in which the youth has the opportunity to maintain contacts with important persons including brothers & sisters A broad array of individualized permanency options exist; reunification and adoption are an important two among many that may be appropriate. EMANCIPATION is not a goal for youth in foster care! Long Term Foster Care is not a Case Plan!

FAMILY TO FAMILY: 

FAMILY TO FAMILY Team Decision Making Recruitment and Retention Self Evaluation Community Partnerships Reduce disproportionality

Key Strategy: Family to Family: 

Key Strategy: Family to Family “9 Outcomes to Rebuild Foster Care” Fewer children placed in foster care If foster care placement is necessary: More children placed in their own neighborhoods & communities Fewer children placed in institutional care Shorter stays in placement More children reunified with their birth families Fewer children re-entering placement Fewer moves when in placement More siblings placed together Reduce disparities associated with race/ethnicity, gender, or age

Slide16: 

Achieving AB636 Outcomes Through Effective Strategies

AB636 GOALS: 

AB636 GOALS Children are protected from abuse and neglect Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible Children have permanency and stability in their living situations The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs. Those youth that must emancipate from foster care without a permanent home will have a life long connection to a trusting adult and are prepared to transition to a self-sufficient adulthood.

SAFETY: 

SAFETY Number of children who are abused and/or neglected Number of children who enter foster care Percentage of children who are re-abused and/or neglected who remain in the home Percentage of children abused and/or neglected in foster care Percent of timely visits with SW Percent who receive a timely response to initial abuse/neglect allegations.

WELL-BEING OUTCOMES: 

WELL-BEING OUTCOMES Percent of children who are placed with some or all siblings. Percent placed in least restrictive setting Percent of American Indian children placed with an Indian relative Levels of self-sufficiency for youth exiting foster care (Permanency such as reunification, adoption, guardianship) Percent receiving health and mental health services Percent of educational progress and school attendance.

PERMANENCY AND STABILITY: 

PERMANENCY AND STABILITY Percentage of children who re-enter foster care Percentage of children who experience multiple placements in foster care Length of time to reunify children with parents or caretakers Length of time to achieve adoption

PRACTICE PRIORITIES: 

PRACTICE PRIORITIES FIRST PLACEMENT IS THE ONLY PLACEMENT ACHIEVING OUTCOMES AS DAILY PRACTICE GUIDE RESEARCH BASED ASSESSMENTS (SDM, Mental Health Screening, DV…) TEAM CASE PLANNING (TDM, Family Conferencing, Team case planning)

Slide22: 

Children & Families Family Well-Being Child Safety Child Well-Being Child Permanency Family to Family CWSOIP Linkages Differential Res. Schools Drug & Alcohol AB636 C-CFSR SIP Community This way to the Vision Mental Health Public Health FRC WRAP CBOs Court CASA SOCIAL WORKER