 SW Ability to prepare children and families for child removal in a manner that reduces trauma, minimizes stress, and enhances partnership  SW Ability to identify the legal rights of children, parents, and caregivers involved in the public child welfare system  SW Ability to use a variety of strategies to engage fathers from first contact with the family and throughout the life of a child welfare case  SW Ability to identify, explore, and pursue birth family relationships with relatives at the initial point of contact and from that point forward as a resource to help meet child and family needs and provide notice of agency involvement to relatives of children in care

 SW Ability to plan and implement placements that reduce stress, minimize trauma, promote placement stability and permanence for children  SW Understands the importance of maintaining sibling connections in out-of-home placements  SW Ability to maintain open communication with parents regarding the well-being of their children, placement options, the agency permanency plans, and status of case progress

What actions during this child’s initial and subsequent placement may have caused trauma for her? What actions could have been taken to prevent, or minimize, this trauma? Group brainstorm: Actions during and after placement that: increase coping decrease trauma

Child Information and Placement Referral DSHS Pre- Learning Review

Provide ChIPR to placement - Obtain Signature - Upload in FamLink

Activity – Completing the ChIPR

We must place a child out of the home when… Active safety threat AND In-home safety plan can not be put in place Pre-Learning Review: Role of the FTDM

What are the 4 ways children can be detained or removed? ?? ??

Police Protective Custody “PC” Hospital Hold Court Order Voluntary Placement “VPA”

Who can order a hospital hold? When is a HH permitted under RCW ? *Child in imminent danger if released

When can law enforcement remove a child? *They determine the child is abused/neglected *They determine the child would be injured/ couldn’t be removed otherwise Parental Notice must be provided DSHS

Why might this happen? Should the case stay open?

Dependency Petition Request for Pick-Up Order Initial Shelter Care Hearing

Service of legal paperwork Custody Transfer (10-157) Temporary Custody Notification (09-731) Notification to Parents (16-219) Applies to all legal parents

When is a VPA appropriate? When it is truly voluntary AND There is a safety threat identified, and an FTDM recommends a VPA After business hours when a safety threat exists but law enforcement does not place the child While a parent receives medical care/treatment and no one is available to care for the child When the other (safe) parent is not immediately available to care for the child Pre-Learning Review

Parental Agreement Placement Options ICWA stipulations Reasonable effort?

“In Home” w/ parent Unlicensed Placements:  Suitable Relatives  Suitable Adults Licensed Placements:  Foster Homes  Facilities

Relative or suitable adult? Must place w/a suitable relative unless: Child’s health, safety, and welfare will be jeopardized Efforts to reunify will be hindered Suitable adult placements = court approval Pre- Learning Review

AskLocate Written Notice Document Ongoing Search Relative Notification Letter/ Relative Inquiry (15-330)

Consequences Is paternity already established? Locating the father Confirming paternity

The Homestudy Process

Criminal History Check Finger Prints (National) Background Authorization Form (WSP) Child Abuse and Neglect FamLink and MODIS Out of State Records

Household Safety Inspection Fire Evacuation Plan Safety and Supervision Plan DSHS DSHS DSHS

Having a conversation about caring for a child placed by DCFS

Confirm family has fact sheet (publication ) Home Study Pre-Screen for Relatives/Suitable Other Placement (10-449) Unlicensed Caregiver Checklist (15-280) Placement Agreement (15-281) Prior to Referral to DLR

Homestudy Referral (10-447) Supporting information Court report Placement referral Dependency petition Background Check results After 60 days of placement!

NCIC Purpose Code X Finger Prints Electronic or Ink and Roll Within 10 days of NCIC Washington State Patrol Background Authorization Form (DSHS )

FamLink Person Search MODIS Older case history Out of State Checks Use CA Intrantet for contacts and forms Ask about former county of residence

All checks completed? All information reviewed? Discussed concerns with placement? Think: Is this a safe place? Is this a permanent option? Do we need an FTDM? Ask: Administrative Approval

Criminal history not adequately completed Criminal history not reviewed or Administrative approval not sought Everyone in home/property not screened Child Abuse not completed or history missed

“Youth Supervision and Safety Plan” Placement must complete special training

Honor parental requests when possible Prioritize suitable relatives Preference homes where the child can: – Visit regularly with parents – Remain with or frequently see siblings – Maintain existing relationships – Remain in the community Achieve permanence

Initial Health Screen (DSHS ) vs. Well Child Exam

Confirm with caregiver Call WSP and obtain a runaway report number Inform all parties to the case and the school Develop a search strategy

Child Caregiver Parent

First week of any new placement Every calendar month – Children under 6 & at home receive 2 visits per month for 120 days Not to exceed 40 days between visits Take place where child lives – Exception for kids in OOH care Pre- Learning Review

Develop a relationship with the child Prepare for the interview – What information is needed? – What observations? Use developmentally appropriate engagement and interviewing

Every calendar month Not to exceed 40 days between visits Scheduled and unannounced visits

Every calendar month Assess progress – Changes, new or resolved safety threats? – Achievements – Barriers Concurrent planning Visitation Child wellbeing Efforts to locate missing parents

What to say? Discussions Observations Plans and next steps How to say it? Provide information to support conclusions Summarize conclusions

Brainstorm: What information should be provided in a case note documenting a health and safety visit? Pre- Learning Review

Pop Quiz: Can you…? 1.Give 3 examples of actions that can be taken to reduce the trauma associated with placement and to increase the child’s ability to cope and thrive during and after placement moves? 2.Describe the legal and policy requirements associated with removal? 3.Summarize the process by which relatives are identified, assessed to be suitable and authorized to care for a child in their home? 4.Name two reasons why it’s important to establish paternity and engage each child’s father early on?

Can you …? 5. Explain the importance of conducting and documenting background checks, including criminal and CPS history, and the implications of criminal history or negative actions/findings.? 6. Name four things that should be discussed or observed during monthly health and safety visits with children?