It’s All About Attitude Presenters: Darleen Shope and Richard Tvaroch The most important thing that changed is what we believe about families… Dave Thompson Minnesota Department of Human Services

The goal of Alternative Response is to achieve child safety, permanency, and well being.

Areas of Focus 1.How is Alternative Response different? 2.An overview of the Trumbull County’s model and results. 3.An overview of the Statewide research results. 4.The philosophical shift that needs to occur for Alternative Response to be successful. 5.Case Examples

1. How Is Alternative Response Different? “During training it’s difficult to understand how alternative response is different. You need to see the differences in practice and how system change impacts family response.”

Differences Between Traditional & Alternative Response Traditional Response Investigations & Problem Focused Rule Compliance CAPMIS Case Plan Negative Feelings Alternative Response Assessments (Strengths & Needs) Family Solution Focused Family Service Plan Positive Feelings

Investigations v. Assessments Alternative Response recognizes the variation in the nature of reports and the value of responding to each report based on the unique needs of the family. A emphasis on “respectful engagement” increases family engagement and cooperation without jeopardizing child safety. With Alternative Response there is a shift from focusing on allegations and “findings” to partnering with the family to address the strengths and underlying needs. At initiation workers are thinking about service provision rather than immediate case transfer, closure or referral to another service provider. Expanded timeframes for the completion of the assessment process (45 days instead of 30) have strengthened family relationships and laid a foundation for successful outcomes.

Rule Compliance v. Family and Solution Focused For Alternative Response, the language in Ohio Administrative Code has been reworked to emphasis and encourage family engagement, and the provision of strength based services. The Alternative Response rules for case initiation and the completion of the Tools have extended in increase the capacity for relationship building. Traditional Response is system driven, while Alternative Response is family driven.

CAPMIS Case Plan v. AR Family Service Plan While the CAPMIS Case Plan is long and cumbersome, the Alternative Response Family Service Plan is a simple two page document. Family Service Plan tool was designed to be flexible, and to encourage both formal and informal partnerships. “Working a service plan instead of a case plan has been successful; service plans are friendlier and developed with the client.” - Licking County AR Worker The Family Service Plan is the one tool that is universally loved across all the Alternative Response Pilot Counties.

2. Trumbull County’s Model and Results The core components of Trumbull’s Alternative Response Pilot Model were: One worker model. While the Supervisor was selected, the Caseworker positions were posted. Alternative Response specific unit. Service approach focuses on family engagement and empowerment.

Trumbull’s AR Post Pilot Design The Agency’s Triage, Short Term and Extended Care Services departments are being merge to form the Agency’s “NEW” Assessment Department. There will be 14 Assessment Workers. Cases can remain in the Assessment Department 45 to 60 days. The focus will be on assessment & service delivery. Development is ongoing and fluid.

Trumbull County’s Results 355 cases were assigned to Trumbull’s AR Unit during the AR Pilot. The average length of service was days. The average length of time taken to develop a Family Service Plan from the screening decision date was days. The average amount of time taken to complete the Safety Assessment process was 4.97 days. The average amount of time taken to complete the Family Assessment process was 23.3 days. Length of Services (Days) <1010 to 2020 to 4040 to 6060 to %30.31%20.96%13.60%6.23%8.22%

3. Statewide Research Results In the area of family engagement, alternative response led to the following: More positive emotional responses to the first contact with workers. Fewer negative emotional responses to the first contact with workers. Greater satisfaction with workers: Families were more likely to state that they were very satisfied with treatment by their worker and more often reported that their worker very much understood their situation and needs. A greater sense of participation in decision making: Involvement in decision making increased under alternative response, as 13% more alternative response families than control families felt a great deal of involvement in decisions about their family.

Statewide Research Results In the area of services to families, alternative response led to the following: A significant increase in counseling and mental health services. Improved satisfaction of families with the help they received. An increased sense of the sufficiency and appropriateness of services received. An increase in information provided to families about services from other sources. An increase in direct help provided by workers to families.

4. Philosophical Shift Parallel Process Attitudes & Culture

Parallel Process Administration and Staff Supervisors and Workers Agency and Community Workers and Families

Attitudes and Culture What do we believe about families? How do we support the process?

5. Case Examples Case Example #1: This Agency received physical abuse referral in regards to a young first time mother with post partum depression. She had been admitted to the psychiatric unit due to feeling depressed and having feelings of harming her newborn baby and disclosed that she had been physically violent towards her paramour’s 4 year old son in the past when she was caring for him. Case Example #2: This Agency received a physical abuse referral due to a mother and baby testing positive for cocaine upon giving birth to her first child. Case Example #3: This Agency received physical abuse regarding a 7 yr. old female, who allegedly had marks on her cheeks and face, scratches and abrasions on her neck area.

Questions?