KidsVoice Multidisciplinary Approach to Dependency Advocacy Scott Hollander, Executive Director

5,000 per year 4 per child 13 hours Children Represented Hearings Per Year Direct Service Time Per Child

WE BELIEVE that better child advocacy is achieved when a diverse team of professionals with knowledge and experience in a variety of disciplines work together for children. WE BELIEVE that all children can thrive and deserve the opportunity to achieve their full potential. WE RECOGNIZE the awesome responsibility of our work and will be as resourceful and creative as we need to be to meet each child’s needs. WE BELIEVE that each child is a unique individual with intrinsic value and rights that we must appreciate and respect. WE ARE COMMITTED to fostering children’s self-esteem and encouraging children to dream. Mission: KidsVoice advocates in court and in the community to ensure a safe and permanent home for abused, neglected and at-risk children. Value Statements:

WE BELIEVE that we have the ability to create positive change at the individual, organizational and system levels and that we must be a catalyst for innovative and collaborative solutions among agencies serving children. WE BELIEVE that educating others about the needs of children is an integral part of our advocacy for children. WE BELIEVE that diversity in all areas – including culture, background, training and experience – strengthens our organization and we are committed to creating a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity. WE VALUE each employee and are committed to creating an open, supportive and challenging work environment that fosters creativity and professional growth for all employees. Value Statements:

TRAINING 1.New Hire Training – 5 weeks of classroom and shadowing 2.Monthly mandatory professional meetings 3.Outside speaker series 4.Free CLE credits through PBI 5.Training allowance 6.Professional organization membership

LEGAL TOPICS Juvenile Act Child Protective Services Law Termination of Parental Rights Evidence Local Procedure Legal Ethics Special Education Law PFAs ICWA MEPA Minors’ Rights to Treatment Emancipation Expungements

SOCIAL SERVICE TOPICS Abuse Neglect Drugs and Alcohol MH/MR Developmental Disabilities Evaluations Education Sex Offenders Teen Issues Sexuality in Children Placements Adoption Services

CASE TEAM FUNCTIONS Each case is assigned to an attorney and Child Advocacy Specialist (CAS) Each attorney will work with at least 2 CASs and vice-versa Case teams are required to meet at least once a week to discuss shared cases, starting with cases scheduled for hearings three weeks from now Determine what information is needed and who should gather it. Meet twice more prior to the hearing to discuss case and formulate recommendations Meet after hearing to discuss results and monitor implementation

INFORMATION SHARING ISSUES Some case information is in the case file and some information is on the shared drive Case files are not always easy to locate Sometimes handwritten case notes are not placed in the file Some staff do not write legibly Changes in provider and contact information is not easy to update Case information cannot be accessed from outside the office

Attorneys and social service professionals often approach cases in a different manner. #1 CAS complaint – The attorney treats me as a paralegal or other type of assistant. #1 Attorney Complaint – CASs don’t understand what is legally relevant.

ACCOUNTABILITY Activity log Monthly individual supervision meetings Monthly regional team meetings Case team observations File reviews Field observations Accountable to case team partner

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS: Duquesne University College of Law – Civil & Family Justice Clinic University of Pittsburgh Law School – Internship and Externship Credits Social Work Placement Child Development Placement Summer Internship Program

Savings compared to using attorneys $150,000 alone to provide 13 hours per client Cost Savings of Multidisciplinary Practice Difference between average attorney$7,500 salary and average social service professional salary Number of social service 20 professionals on staff