Caregiver Support

Child Intervention Intake Statistics  Calgary and Area 2013:  The Region received 14,100 reports about a child or youth who may be in need of intervention services.  Approximately 7,000 of those reports received an initial Safety Phase Assessment.  Following the initial assessment, approximately 2,200 cases proceeded on to a more detailed assessment.  From these assessments, approximately 24% (1,680 children) were opened to Ongoing cases to provide Intervention Services.

Children/Youth in Care Regional Statistics  Approximately 63% of children (1,700) receiving protective services reside within a continuum of in care options (December 2013).  This is includes foster care (920), group care and residential treatment services (180) as well as Kinship Care (366). Youth in care may also be living in a room and board arrangement, and/or be semi-independent.  Children’s Services contracts with a number of agencies to provide care for kids along the continuum of care options.

Foster Care Regional Statistics # of HomesLicensed Capacity Authority Foster Homes Agency Foster Homes TOTAL (December 2013) 5441,336

Kinship Care Regional Statistics  Kinship Care is an opportunity for people who have a relationship with a child coming into care, or who is already in care to become their caregivers.  Kin caregivers may be relatives, friends or people from the child’s faith or cultural community.  Approximately 22% of children (365) receiving in care services reside with kin.   (December 2013).

Desired Outcomes Supporting vulnerable children to live successfully in the Community Children in temporary care will be reunited quickly with their family Children in permanent care will be placed in permanent homes as quickly as possible Youth will be transitioned to adulthood successfully Aboriginal children will live in culturally appropriate placements

7 Regional Approach to Caregiver Support A Team Based Holistic Care Model

8 Primary Focus Areas Child Wellbeing Caregiver Capacity Communication and Planning

Enhancing Child Wellbeing 9 ? What constitutes child well being? -Physical wellbeing -Emotional wellbeing -Spiritual wellbeing -Mental well being Who is responsible? -The child’s team, including family, caregivers, community members, social workers and other professionals. How will we make this happen? -Clinical support as kids come into care -Developmental and trauma screenings -Implementation of developmental plans -Implementation of cultural plans

Increasing Caregiver Capacity 10 What is caregiver capacity? -Skills -Knowledge -Ability To promote overall child wellbeing to reach regional outcomes (stay home, go home, loving home, healthy adults, all in a cultural context) Who is responsible? -Foster Care support workers, Kinnections facilitators, child’s social worker, clinicians & other professionals, as well as community supports. How will we make this happen? -BICS -Collaborative Mental Health -Core training and Supplemental Training -Community Resources ie Triple P, CRC, HFWA -Live coaching by support workers by in-home teaching and training. -Education, health and mental health

Improved Communication and Planning 11 What do we want to communicate and plan for? “ one child one plan” -Decision making among team members -Meaningful and understood by all parties -Everything from day-to-day activities to long term planning and goals. Who is responsible? -The child’s team, including family, caregivers, community members, social workers and other professionals. How will we make this happen? -Intentional, meaningful and focused meetings -Working towards intended outcomes -Defining the components of the plan (ie culture, visits, development, crisis intervention).

12 Case Example

13 The Big Questions 1.What does this mean for caregivers? 2.What can I expect to see differently in the upcoming months? 3.What benefits will there be?

14 What does this mean for caregivers? Predictable, consistent intake process. Timely information. A meaningful plan of care. More professionals in your home early after placement. Active participation in “assessments,” and screening. More contact with bio-families, in a safe and meaningful way. Being a respected team member. Increased support during a crisis.

15 What can I expect to see differently in the upcoming months? Green Yellow RedA phone call from a clinician: Green Yellow Red Intakes within 30 days, with regularly scheduled follow- up meetings. Clinical support at the time of placement in your home. Implementation of the screening tools in your home (ASQ, ASQ SE and the Trauma Symptom Checklist). Development of the child’s profile, plan. Practical strategies and tools to use with ongoing support. Greater engagement with Community Resources.

16 What Benefits will there Be? Caregivers will be better equipped to care for children with complex needs. The right support for children and caregivers at the right time. Smoother transitions for all. Shared understanding and responsibility for team members. Confidence to work through the challenges kids in care face. Our desired outcomes will be reached.

PLC’s in Region 3  Currently we have 13 PLC’s in our region  All have resources and supports that are available to parents, children and caregivers

18 Child Intervention Intake Line – Foster Care Screening/Recruitment Line – Child Care Intake Line – Adoption Intake Line –

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