Del Norte County

Del Norte County is the Northern most county on the California Coast Del Norte is approximately 140 square miles in area 80% of the land in Del Norte is owned by the State or Federal Government (Parks and BLM Land) Per Capita family income in Del Norte is $17,050 as opposed to state wide income of $26,800 (2007 Children Now) 27% of Del Norte Children Live in Poverty compared to a state wide average of 19%

Child Welfare Statistics for FY (Safe Measures) 753 Total Referrals (62.75 per month) 105 Immediate Response Referrals (8.75 per month) 312 – 10 Day Referrals (26 per month) 301 Referrals are Evaluated Out (25 per month) 107 Families were referred for Differential Response to the Community Assistance Network (Path 1 and Path 2)

The makeup of Del Norte County Health and Human Services (Child Welfare Services) In FY the Department had 14 full time Child Welfare Social Workers. Currently there are 12 full time Social Workers assigned to Child Welfare 6 Child Welfare Social Workers are assigned to the On-Going Unit – Court ordered FR, FM, PP 2 Child Welfare Social Workers are assigned to do Voluntary Family Maintenance 2 Child Welfare Social Workers are assigned to Emergency Response 2 Child Welfare Social Workers are assigned to Wraparound Services

The Makeup of Del Norte County Health and Human Services Integrated Case Management – Linkages 1 ICW Manages the Linkage cases (Child Welfare and DR Cases) 43 are currently active in the Linkages Program Families Meet with the Linkages Team on a weekly basis while services are being provided Del Norte is in the process of developing and enacting an “After Care” Linkages program for families that have successfully completed services with Child Welfare

The Makeup of Community Assistance Network (CAN) In FY CAN employed 5 People in Family Services Division 3 Service Coordinators provided direct services to families referred for Path 1 and Path 2 DR Services 1 Employee provided data input and acted as the receptionist for the Division 1 Employee as the Manager of the Program/Division

Life Elevation Action Program Services (LEAP)

With an innovative integrated service plan approach

Identification of Differential Response/LINKAGES Cases The Child Welfare Social Worker Screener determines the appropriate response type for the referral When the referral is sent to LEAP Path 1 or Path 2, a referral packet is prepared including a Passport to Services Once the LEAP Service Coordinator meets with the family an assessment using the Family Development Matrix Model is completed The Matrix guides the FAMILY ELEVATION PLAN development The Child Welfare Social Worker Screener determines the appropriate response type for the referral When the referral is sent to LEAP Path 1 or Path 2, a referral packet is prepared including a Passport to Services Once the LEAP Service Coordinator meets with the family an assessment using the Family Development Matrix Model is completed The Matrix guides the FAMILY ELEVATION PLAN development

Matrix Tool

Matrix Tool cont…

Elevation Plan

Elevation Plan cont…

Elevation Plan Family identifies strengths and concerns with The LEAP Service Coordinator utilizing the Family Development Matrix Model Assessment Tool LINKAGES Staff meets with the family and LEAP Service Coordinator developing the

What is an Elevation Plan? An Elevation Plan identifies the families top three goals that will help them become safe and stable. With the goals identified, the family has objectives or steps that will help them achieve their goals. These objectives are used to guide the family and show them that they are making progress in the goals they have set. An Elevation Plan identifies the families top three goals that will help them become safe and stable. With the goals identified, the family has objectives or steps that will help them achieve their goals. These objectives are used to guide the family and show them that they are making progress in the goals they have set.

How does LINKAGES help? Once it is determined that a family is eligible for Cal Works by the Passport to Services The Service Coordinator contacts the LINKAGES Staff to arrange a team meeting with the family At the team meeting an integrated case plan, also known as the Elevation Plan, is developed Once it is determined that a family is eligible for Cal Works by the Passport to Services The Service Coordinator contacts the LINKAGES Staff to arrange a team meeting with the family At the team meeting an integrated case plan, also known as the Elevation Plan, is developed

What happens next? Once the integrated Elevation Plan is developed, LINKAGES Staff identifies how they may assist the family in meeting their goals. For example, a family has a special needs child that needs services through the local regional center and is seeking employment and housing. The LINKAGES team may reduce the number of hours a parent needs to participate in Job Finders in order to allow for the child to be seen at the regional center, provide gas vouchers for transportation, and pay a deposit for housing. Once the integrated Elevation Plan is developed, LINKAGES Staff identifies how they may assist the family in meeting their goals. For example, a family has a special needs child that needs services through the local regional center and is seeking employment and housing. The LINKAGES team may reduce the number of hours a parent needs to participate in Job Finders in order to allow for the child to be seen at the regional center, provide gas vouchers for transportation, and pay a deposit for housing.

How does LINKAGES know if a family is following the plan? Regular team meetings are held with the family, LINKAGES Staff, and the LEAP Service Coordinator At these meetings accomplishments are celebrated and challenges are addressed If necessary, the plan can be modified to accommodate any changes in circumstance. Regular team meetings are held with the family, LINKAGES Staff, and the LEAP Service Coordinator At these meetings accomplishments are celebrated and challenges are addressed If necessary, the plan can be modified to accommodate any changes in circumstance.

What else does LINKAGES do? LINKAGES has helped families with: Car Repairs Past Due utility bills Temporary housing Trac phones Laundry vouchers Clothing vouchers Child care

How do you measure outcomes? LEAP has referred over 35 families to the LINKAGES Program within the last two years. This approximately 30% referral rate to LINKAGES has completed 75% of their identified goals.

What services has LINKAGES Purchased for LEAP Families? Services range from: Bus Passes Car Insurance and Registration Car repairs and gas Temporary and Permanent Housing Deposits/Credit Checks Cleaning Supplies/Garbage Removal Food Birth Certificates

What Else? Camping Equipment Fire Extinguishers/Propane Laundry Vouchers/Clothing Trac Phones and Minutes Diapers Personal Hygiene Products Carpet Shampooer/Garbage Removal Past Due Utility Bills

Let’s Talk about Challenges ‘Underground Network” spread the word Families began to make Self-Referrals Sense of Entitlement

SUCCESS STORIES Due to the parents separation, Family A was living in a house recently in foreclosure without power or water. They were referred to LEAP on 3/10/08. The Service Coordinator met with the family 3/11/08, and hooked them up with LINKAGES 3/12/08. That same day, the family was placed in temporary housing in a local budget motel (Del Norte County has no homeless shelters). On April 11, 2008, the family moved into permanent housing with the assistance of LEAP and LINKAGES.

Other positive outcomes A single Native American woman is pregnant, had a history of substance abuse and domestic violence, in addition to having a young toddler living in unsafe conditions. LINKAGES provided her with a Trac phone, food and clothing. LEAP transported the family from an outlying area to medical appointments. The new baby was born drug free and the family moved to safe housing.

How does purchasing vehicle related items translate to stability? A parent has let the registration and insurance lapse on the family car due to lack of finances. In addition, the vehicle has two bald tires and needs a new battery. Our parent is forced to sneak around town in an unsafe car to get their child to school, shop, and see the doctor. LINKAGES was able to renew the registration, help pay for the insurance, tires and a new battery. The parent no longer runs the risk of an accident, arrest, and their only means of transportation becoming impounded.

Thanks to the LINKAGES/LEAP Partnership families become SAFE STABLE INDEPENDENT CONFIDENT PRODUCTIVE