FIRST PLACEMENT IS THE RIGHT PLACEMENT Draft Recommendations for Discussion Governor’s Action Group for Safe Children

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT GUIDING PRINCIPLES Issues of confidentiality should not be allowed to be impediments to helping children. Placement decisions should be child-focused and family-centered. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT GUIDING PRINCIPLES Cross-training is necessary to successful implementation of assessments and the wise use of resources in providing services and programs to children. Assessment instruments should be free of any cultural bias. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

CATEGORIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS Timeliness Content Process Collaboration 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT TIMELINESS Establish a standard window of time (e.g., 24 hours) for collecting a prescribed set of common data elements. Involve a sufficient number of experienced staff (24/7 – “real time”) as early as possible in the process (Use as “crisis intervention managers”) 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT CONTENT Require all agencies that come into contact with a family or child for out-of-home placement to use a set of common data elements to gather information. Require Mental Health to use a standardized assessment aligned with those of DFCS and DJJ. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

CRITICAL ELEMENTS FOR FIRST ASSESSMENT Safety Risk Factors Resources (assess strengths) Family Dynamics Timeliness (See handout) 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT PROCESS Reduce the redundancy of children’s assessments. Require agencies that deliver services to children to accept one another’s assessments (DJJ, DFCS, DOE, Mental Health, Community Health). 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT PROCESS All common data element information should be Automated Transparent Web-based, and Populate appropriate agency-specific assessment records. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT PROCESS Once a revised assessment and placement system is implemented, there needs to be standard concepts of disengagement for children. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT PROCESS Provide appropriate confidentiality safeguards—including an initial family information permission release and electronic signatures —so that the system can offer access to all authorized organizations and individuals. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT COLLABORATION All decisions regarding statutes, regulations and policies that require collaboration, alignment, and coordination among those primary agencies impacting children’s lives must have all agencies represented in and committed to consensual decision making and implementation. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT COLLABORATION DOE should be an integral part of the system of organizations: In decision-making In providing assessment information and appropriate programs and services to children who require them 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT COLLABORATION Provide cross-training to DJJ, DOE, DFCS, Juvenile Court Judges, Community Health, private and non-profit service providers, and MH/MR/SA staff 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT COLLABORATION Children in joint custody of DFCS and DJJ need to be “fast-tracked” (given preferential access) in terms of obtaining services such as MATCH. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT COLLABORATION Phase in implementation of any newly developed assessment/placement system: Use a limited number of counties in the pilot phase Redeploy assessment resources to the initial phases of contact with a child and family 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT COLLABORATION Provide to any child known to DFCS through CPS comprehensive assessments (including family conferencing) to prevent out-of-home placements. Track the number of prevented placements & redirect the saved revenue to services for children at risk of out-of-home placements. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT COLLABORATION Provide access for families and staff to appropriate translation services, including sign language, and to culturally appropriate resource staff, especially outside of the metro area. 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT REMINDER Once a revised assessment and placement system has been developed, there should be careful analyses of all options considered to prevent any systemic “unintended consequences.” 7/28/2019 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT