Partnering with Families for MRS/SOC Success!

North Carolina’s Family Support and Child Welfare System Family-centered practice and system of care principles are our foundation - Community Based Programs Work First Foster Care Adoption Safety Permanency Well-Being Self-Sufficiency MRS CPS

MRS is System Reform The Multiple Response System in North Carolina is a reform of the entire Child Welfare System from intake to permanency. There are 3 key components to this reform: –Policy reform –Philosophy reform –Shift in Focus

Key MRS Concepts Families are unique and distinctive One size still does not fit all Families are more likely to engage and carry out a plan that they have truly taken part in planning We won’t be involved forever, we need to build a support network of extended family and community partners

7 Strategies of MRS MRS in North Carolina encompasses all of the Child Welfare System with the following strategies: Collaboration between TANF and Child Welfare Strengths based, structured intake process Choice of two approaches in responding to reports of abuse and neglect Collaboration with Law Enforcement on reports involving abuse. Redesign of CPS In-Home Services The use of Child and Family Team meetings throughout the life of the case The use of Shared Parenting meetings during foster care cases

Needs, Not Deeds: A New Philosophy This concept allows us to look at “what lies beneath” the child maltreatment rather than focusing on what is often only a symptom. We look at the underlying reasons for the “Deed” and what the family “Needs” to keep themselves and their children safe. This philosophy is followed throughout the life of the case.

A proven framework for: Organizing and coordinating services and resources into a comprehensive and interconnected network by: developing PARTNERSHIPS between individuals, families, and agencies building on individual and community STRENGTHS and making the most of existing resources. Improving the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of frontline service providers toward more FAMILY- CENTERED practices. System of Care Supports MRS Implementation

System of Care Guiding Principles/Values Interagency Collaboration Child and Family Partnership Individualized Strengths-based Care Cultural Competence Community-based Services & supports Accountability to results

Both MRS and SOC reflect family- centered Principles of Partnership in action Everyone desires respect. Everyone needs to be heard. Everyone has strengths. Judgments can wait. Partners share power. Partnerships is process.

Child and Family Teams… MRS/SOC Style CFT meetings recognize and respect the family as the experts of their own children. This is a shift away from more traditional child welfare service planning, which all too often focused on parenting deficits, assumes the child welfare professional is the expert on what is needed, and often alienated the family.

The team decision making approach is both a philosophy and a practice. As a philosophy, it reflects the belief that families can solve their own problems. No one knows a family’s strengths, needs and problems better than that family. As a practice, child and family teams bring the philosophy to life, in real world settings.

Child & Family Teams: who’s at the table? Job Coach DSS Professional Housing Authority MH /DD/SA Professional Friends Parks/Rec Courts JJ Professional Primary Care Phy. Health Dept. Nurse Consumer Credit LEA Teacher Child and Family Team Family is central; with facilitator organizing the meeting Neighbors Pastor Advocate 1 Family/1 Team/1 Plan

Engaging youth and families systemically North Carolina Collaborative for Children, Youth and Families (co-chaired by a parent) Developing policy in partnership with youth and families Compensating family and youth for time spent in meetings

North Carolina Collaborative for Children, Youth and Families A Forum: for the discussion of System of Care development and issues regarding how agencies, community partners, and families can work together to better meet the needs of children and families which results in better outcomes. where recommendations are made to promote the coordination of services, funding, training, and local reporting requirements to eliminate duplication and make the system more child and family friendly.

State Collaborative for Children, Youth, and Families Cross system child and family team curriculum with blended funds Website Charter Cross agency Committees including technical assistance System of Care Conferences/Training Events Statewide SOC Conference December 3 and 4-Winston Salem

Involving Families and Youth in the Statewide Assessment Surveys completed with foster and adoptive parents and youth Focus groups held with youth Conscious, deliberate sharing of information with clarity regarding what changes can be made

Involving Families and Youth in the on-site CFSR Solicit participation as on-site reviewers Continuous engagement with Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (SAYSO) Partnership with North Carolina Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

Involving Youth and Families in the PIP One theme driving NC’s PIP is Child, Youth and Family Involvement. Shared draft PIP with Strong Able Youth Speaking Out PIP action steps include: annual surveys of foster and adoptive parents and foster youth, focus groups led by county director with foster youth

MRS and SOC… Like a hand in a glove The North Carolina Division of Social Services is committed to the values and principles of MRS and SOC Family centered practice training for all Division employees The timing is right to really focus on family and community partnerships

Why Families as Partners? Families know what works for them Families know what their limitations are Families can keep track of services and change Families and youth comfort and buy in are necessary for success Families face the challenges all day and every day Families are passionate and will not give up Families have the most to lose and the most to gain Libby Jones-Family Advocate-NC Families United

Only through partnering together can we make all the pieces fit!