Place Matters Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home 4/6/2019

Why Does Place Matter? 4/6/2019

Place Matters because: All Children Deserve a Family All families should provide a safe, permanent home for children, where their well-being is paramount. 4/6/2019

Safety Children must be safe and need to be protected Safety Children must be safe and need to be protected. Children must be protected from abuse and neglect. Services must be provided to ensure that children, when possible remain in their homes. When children are no longer able to remain in their homes they must be protected in the least restrictive environment. 4/6/2019

Permanency Children need to be with families. Permanence occurs when a child has a lasting, nurturing relationship with at least one adult. That relationship should demonstrate mutual commitment and be legally secure. Examples include: reunification, custody/ guardianship to relatives, adoption 4/6/2019

Well-being Children are entitled to live in an environment where they are nurtured and can thrive. This includes meeting their needs: Educational Health care Social/relationship 4/6/2019

Maryland’s Placement Statistics 10,164 children in out-of-home care 60 % of caseload in Baltimore City 40% of caseload in 23 other counties 61% in family foster care 20% in group homes Average length of stay: 3.5 - 4 years *July 2007 Statistics 4/6/2019 Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home

Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home Barriers to Success Lack of family foster homes Over reliance on group care Jurisdiction of origin vs. Jurisdiction of placement Gaps in the placement continuum statewide Insufficient mental health, educational and community supports for foster children and their families 4/6/2019 Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home

Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home Goals Keep children in their communities Place children in families first Reduce reliance on out of home care Minimize the length of stay Manage with data and redirect resources 4/6/2019 Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home

Place Matters Framework Family-Centered Practice Alternative Response Integrated In-Home/Family Preservation Services Targeted Child Well-Being Practices Foster/Adoptive Family Recruitment and Retention Kinship Care Placement and Community Resource Development Focused Permanency Policy and Practice 4/6/2019 Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home

Place Matters Strategy Place Matters Action Team Purpose: Plan, develop and provide oversight to Maryland’s Place Matters Initiative 4/6/2019 Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home

Place Matters Strategy Key Information Sources The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Strategic Consulting Group MD Foster Parent Association Foster Care Provider Council Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth StateStat Case Reviews: Permanency, Levels of Care, Proximity GOC Resource Development Plan Group Home Census Treatment Foster Home Inventory Quality Assurance/CFSR Reviews 4/6/2019 Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home

Major Initiatives 2007-2008 1000 by 2010: Foster Parent Recruitment/Retention Family Centered Practice Service Array/Resource Development Provider Accountability Focus on Permanency & Wellbeing Contract Monitoring/Quality of Care Geographic Proximity Practice Improvement Family Centered/Community Based/Child Focused Placement Protocols Level of Care Assessment Placement Decision Making Criteria 4/6/2019

Place Matters Nothing Matters More to a Child Than a Place to Call Home Cathy F. Mols, LCSW-C Executive Director, Social Services Administration Maryland Department of Human Resources cmols@dhr.state.md.us 410-767-7216 4/6/2019