Child Welfare System “How it fits together” Presented by: Nancy Goodman Mary Sheppard Presented by: Nancy Goodman Mary Sheppard

Basic Assumptions Children: Should be safe Should live with their families Should be safe with a permanent family Children: Should be safe Should live with their families Should be safe with a permanent family

What is Child Abuse and Neglect? Physical abuse Sexual abuse Emotional abuse General neglect Severe neglect Exploitation Physical abuse Sexual abuse Emotional abuse General neglect Severe neglect Exploitation

CWS System PL Basic Framework established in federal law (Social Security Act): Titles IV-B (services) Title IV-E (Foster care and adoption assistance) Implemented in State Statutes WIC 300’s As interpreted in Regulation CWS: MPP (Manual of Policies and Procedures) Div 31 Adoptions: CCR (California Code of Regulations) Title 22 PL Basic Framework established in federal law (Social Security Act): Titles IV-B (services) Title IV-E (Foster care and adoption assistance) Implemented in State Statutes WIC 300’s As interpreted in Regulation CWS: MPP (Manual of Policies and Procedures) Div 31 Adoptions: CCR (California Code of Regulations) Title 22

Types of Services Emergency Response (ER) Family Maintenance (FM) Family Reunification (FR) Permanent Placement (PP) The four traditional service components of the program were established through state legislation (Senate Bill 14) enacted in 1982 to implement federal requirements under Public Law Emergency Response (ER) Family Maintenance (FM) Family Reunification (FR) Permanent Placement (PP) The four traditional service components of the program were established through state legislation (Senate Bill 14) enacted in 1982 to implement federal requirements under Public Law

Emergency Response (ER) Each county has a local 24-Hour Hotline Key questions at this stage include: Is the child in imminent danger? What is the risk of maltreatment? Does the suspected child abuse meet the legal definition of abuse or neglect? Is an in-person response required and, if so, how quickly? Evaluate out or In-Person Response within 10 days or immediate Standardized Safety Assessment System Structured Decision Making (SDM) Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT) Each county has a local 24-Hour Hotline Key questions at this stage include: Is the child in imminent danger? What is the risk of maltreatment? Does the suspected child abuse meet the legal definition of abuse or neglect? Is an in-person response required and, if so, how quickly? Evaluate out or In-Person Response within 10 days or immediate Standardized Safety Assessment System Structured Decision Making (SDM) Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT)

Decision Points for Standardized Safety Assessment Determine Response Initial Safety Determination Placement Referral Disposition Case Planning: (Initial/Change) Reunification Case Closure Determine Response Initial Safety Determination Placement Referral Disposition Case Planning: (Initial/Change) Reunification Case Closure

Differential Response Over 600,000 referrals annually Prior to CWSI Services provided only to cases that meet the threshold for abuse or neglect – 8% of referrals New Pilots: targeted geographically, by population or both All referrals receive appropriate level of response CBO response CWS and CBO joint response CWS response Goal Provide prevention/intervention services to at risk families Reduce the number of children entering child welfare services and the need for high-end services later Over 600,000 referrals annually Prior to CWSI Services provided only to cases that meet the threshold for abuse or neglect – 8% of referrals New Pilots: targeted geographically, by population or both All referrals receive appropriate level of response CBO response CWS and CBO joint response CWS response Goal Provide prevention/intervention services to at risk families Reduce the number of children entering child welfare services and the need for high-end services later

Differential Response Path 1: For children with no to low risk of abuse and neglect and who do not meet the legal or statutory criteria for intervention and response. These referrals are referred directly to a community-based organization and do not enter into the child welfare system. Path 2: For children with moderate risk of abuse and neglect and who do meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker along with a community-based partner will respond and conduct an in- person contact. Path 3: For children with high risk of abuse and neglect and who again meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker will respond to these referrals alone and conduct an in-person contact. This path is most similar to the child welfare system’s traditional response. Path 1: For children with no to low risk of abuse and neglect and who do not meet the legal or statutory criteria for intervention and response. These referrals are referred directly to a community-based organization and do not enter into the child welfare system. Path 2: For children with moderate risk of abuse and neglect and who do meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker along with a community-based partner will respond and conduct an in- person contact. Path 3: For children with high risk of abuse and neglect and who again meet the legal or statutory definitions for intervention and response. A child welfare worker will respond to these referrals alone and conduct an in-person contact. This path is most similar to the child welfare system’s traditional response.

Family Maintenance (FM) Provides protective services to families in order to keep children in the home or keep family unit in tact. Services may include referrals for: Counseling Emergency Shelter Care Respite Care Emergency in-home caretakers Substance Abuse Treatment Domestic Violence Intervention Victim services Parenting Education. May be a voluntary agreement with parents or could have court intervention Provides protective services to families in order to keep children in the home or keep family unit in tact. Services may include referrals for: Counseling Emergency Shelter Care Respite Care Emergency in-home caretakers Substance Abuse Treatment Domestic Violence Intervention Victim services Parenting Education. May be a voluntary agreement with parents or could have court intervention

Hearings continue every 6 months until dependency is dismissed Status Review Hearings Child Welfare System Out of Home Placement Emergency: Home Visit Criminal Record Child Abuse Index Ongoing: Family Assessment 6 Month Hearing (12 mos) Permanency Hearing (18 mos) Permanency Review Hearing Continue FR Continue FR Permanenc y Alternative Identified Family Reunificatio n No FR Long-Term Foster Care.26 Hearing TPR for Adoption or Order Guardianship End FR NO Family Maintenanc e Services Referral to CPS CPS responds Detention Hearing Child Removed? Yes Child Returned Child Returned Dispo/Juris Hearings FR

Family Reunification (FR) Time limited services to help reunify the family 6 month review hearing 12 month review hearing 18 month permanency hearing Case plan of family reunification may include Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) issues Mental health Housing Employment Concurrent plan of permanency Time limited services to help reunify the family 6 month review hearing 12 month review hearing 18 month permanency hearing Case plan of family reunification may include Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) issues Mental health Housing Employment Concurrent plan of permanency

Case Plan Permanency Reunification Services Concurrent Services Concurrent Planning 101 “...the case plan shall describe the services to be provided to assist in reunification and the services to be provided concurrently to achieve legal permanence with a new family if efforts to reunify fail.” WIC

Permanent Placement (PP) To ensure Children that they can grow up in a permanent, safe, and secure living arrangement Most preferred option is reunification with the family Alternatives: Adoption Legal Guardian Long Term Foster Care Federal policy prefers adoption as first alternative when children can not live safe with their birth parents. To ensure Children that they can grow up in a permanent, safe, and secure living arrangement Most preferred option is reunification with the family Alternatives: Adoption Legal Guardian Long Term Foster Care Federal policy prefers adoption as first alternative when children can not live safe with their birth parents.

Going Through the Child Welfare System Report Called into Hotline Report of suspected child abuse or neglect is called into the county Child Abuse Hotline by a mandated reporter or concerned individual Call Screened Hotline social worker screens call to determine if an investigation is warranted. In-Person Investigation or Path 2 & 3 An ER social worker conducts an in-person investigation to assess evidence of child abuse or neglect. Referral Allegation Substantiated Investigation confirms evidence of child abuse or neglect Voluntary Services Provided Child remains at home for 30 days or up to 6 months of voluntary Family Maintenance. Voluntary services Fail The abuse continues, a new report of abuse or neglect is confirmed, or voluntary services fail for other reasons. Dependency Petition Filed A petition is filed in juvenile dependency court by the child welfare agency, beginning a series of judicial hearings. Child Becomes a Dependent of the Court Court places child under it’s jurisdiction. Family Reunification Court orders the child placed in out-of-home (foster) care to keep child safe, and orders child welfare agency to develop reunification plan with parents. Permanency Planning Court decides child cannot safely be returned home and/or efforts to reunify with birth family should end; orders another permanent placement plan to be selected. Family Reunified Family Successfully completes service plan and child is returned home. Referral Evaluated Out The Hotline social worker asses the evidence and decides it is not sufficient to open a case. Case Dismissed or Settled Court finds insufficient grounds for petition or that the problems that brought the family into court have been remedied. Referral Closed Investigation determines suspected abuse or neglect is unfounded or evidence is inconclusive. Case Closed ER services or Family Maintenance succeeds in providing a safe and secure environment for the child. Family maintenance Fails A petition for the removal of the child from its family is filed with dependency court. Case Dismissed or Settled Court finds problems that brought family into court have been remedied. Family Maintenance Court leaves child at home and orders child welfare agency to develop a case plan and provide services to the family. Child Removed from Home Child is taken into custody and placed in an emergency shelter or foster home. Cross-Report Filed If evidence of abuse is found, a cross-report is sent to law enforcement for further action. Differential Response or Path 1 Referral sent to community based partner.

California Child and Family Services Review (AB 636 or C-CFSR) A system of continuous improvement

Purpose To ensure county child welfare and probation agencies improve outcomes for children and families. To measure, track, and monitor counties on an ongoing basis. To align California’s oversight system with the Federal system. To align California’s oversight system with the Federal system. To ensure county child welfare and probation agencies improve outcomes for children and families. To measure, track, and monitor counties on an ongoing basis. To align California’s oversight system with the Federal system. To align California’s oversight system with the Federal system.

State & Federal Outcomes Safety Permanence Well Being 3 Major Efforts Standardized Safety Assessment Differential Response Permanency and Youth Transition All three efforts underscore the principle of fairness and equity for all children and families touched by the CWS system. All three efforts are rooted in the desire to generate more positive and lasting results for California’s most vulnerable children by building on family strengths, developing community support, and directly engaging family members and youth in decision-making about their lives. Safety Permanence Well Being 3 Major Efforts Standardized Safety Assessment Differential Response Permanency and Youth Transition All three efforts underscore the principle of fairness and equity for all children and families touched by the CWS system. All three efforts are rooted in the desire to generate more positive and lasting results for California’s most vulnerable children by building on family strengths, developing community support, and directly engaging family members and youth in decision-making about their lives.

Performance & Core Elements How do we know if we’re doing a good job? Quarterly County Data Reports County Self Assessments Peer Quality Case Reviews County System Improvement Plans State Self Assessment How do we know if we’re doing a good job? Quarterly County Data Reports County Self Assessments Peer Quality Case Reviews County System Improvement Plans State Self Assessment

Why CWS & CalWORKs fit together Reduce bureaucracy. Coordinate services for families to help meet requirements, goals, and timelines. Promote better outcomes. Together CWS and CalWORKs put parenting first. Reduce bureaucracy. Coordinate services for families to help meet requirements, goals, and timelines. Promote better outcomes. Together CWS and CalWORKs put parenting first.

County Self Assessment Assessment of Data and Systemic Factors Analysis of Data Indicators for Safety and Permanency Assessment of Data and Systemic Factors Analysis of Data Indicators for Safety and Permanency

Peer Quality Case Review (PQCR) Qualitative Look at Service Delivery Focused Area of Review Targeted Questions Includes Interviews Social Workers Probation Officers Supervisors Qualitative Look at Service Delivery Focused Area of Review Targeted Questions Includes Interviews Social Workers Probation Officers Supervisors

County System Improvement Plan (SIP) Participants Child Welfare – Lead Agency Probation Collaboration with: Courts Health Mental Health Tribes Stakeholders CalWORKs Child Welfare – Lead Agency Probation Collaboration with: Courts Health Mental Health Tribes Stakeholders CalWORKs

County System Improvement Plans Operational Agreement with State Prioritized Areas for Improvement 3 Year Plan with Annual Updates Approved by Board of Supervisors Operational Agreement with State Prioritized Areas for Improvement 3 Year Plan with Annual Updates Approved by Board of Supervisors

PROCESS DATA INDICATORS TIMELY EMERGENCY RESPONSE Referrals with immediate response Referrals with 10 day response TIMELY SOCIAL WORKER CONTACTS TIMELY EMERGENCY RESPONSE Referrals with immediate response Referrals with 10 day response TIMELY SOCIAL WORKER CONTACTS

Safety Outcomes & Indicators Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect Recurrence Of Maltreatment Incidence Of Abuse/Neglect In Foster Care Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect Recurrence Of Maltreatment Incidence Of Abuse/Neglect In Foster Care Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate

Permanency Outcomes & Indicators Children have permanency & stability in their living situations Foster Care Re-entries Stability Of Foster Care Placement Length Of Time To Adoption Length Of Time To Reunification The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved Sibling Placement Least Restrictive Placement ICWA Placement

Well Being Outcomes Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs Children receive appropriate educational services Children receive adequate physical and mental health services Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs Children receive appropriate educational services Children receive adequate physical and mental health services

Who are mandated reporters? Mandated child abuse reporters include all those individuals and entities listed in Penal Code Section Examples: Teachers, Public Assistance Worker, Social worker, Probation Officer, Nurse, Doctor, Firefighter, A coroner, etc. Prior to commencing his or her employment, he or she shall sign a statement on a form provided by their employer to the effect that he or she knows of the provision so Penal Code (requiring him or her to report known or suspected child abuse). Mandated child abuse reporters include all those individuals and entities listed in Penal Code Section Examples: Teachers, Public Assistance Worker, Social worker, Probation Officer, Nurse, Doctor, Firefighter, A coroner, etc. Prior to commencing his or her employment, he or she shall sign a statement on a form provided by their employer to the effect that he or she knows of the provision so Penal Code (requiring him or her to report known or suspected child abuse).

Purpose of Reporting Protect the child To provide help for the parents when the abuse is occurring in the home. It is the law. Protect the child To provide help for the parents when the abuse is occurring in the home. It is the law.

Making a Report The mandated reporter must give his or her name when reporting known or suspected child abuse. (Penal Code 11167) The following information is required if known when making the telephone report: Name, business address and telephone number of the mandated reporter The capacity that makes the person a mandated reporter The information that gave rise to the reasonable suspicion of the child abuse or neglect and the source of that information. The Child’s name. The address and present location of the child. If applicable, the child’s school, grade and class. The names, addresses, and telephone number of the child’s parents or guardians. The name, address, telephone number, and other relevant personal information about the person(s) who may have abused the child. The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of this information is not known or is uncertain. The mandated reporter must give his or her name when reporting known or suspected child abuse. (Penal Code 11167) The following information is required if known when making the telephone report: Name, business address and telephone number of the mandated reporter The capacity that makes the person a mandated reporter The information that gave rise to the reasonable suspicion of the child abuse or neglect and the source of that information. The Child’s name. The address and present location of the child. If applicable, the child’s school, grade and class. The names, addresses, and telephone number of the child’s parents or guardians. The name, address, telephone number, and other relevant personal information about the person(s) who may have abused the child. The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of this information is not known or is uncertain.

What Happens to the Reports? The primary purpose of the report is to make relevant agencies aware of the possible abuse. Once the report is made, it will go through a thorough investigation for the protection of the child. The primary purpose of the report is to make relevant agencies aware of the possible abuse. Once the report is made, it will go through a thorough investigation for the protection of the child.

Contact Information Nancy Goodman, Manager Child Welfare Policy & Support Unit (916) Mary Sheppard Child Welfare Special Projects & Program Improvement Plan (916) Nancy Goodman, Manager Child Welfare Policy & Support Unit (916) Mary Sheppard Child Welfare Special Projects & Program Improvement Plan (916)