Putting “Family and Children First”

Statutory Purpose The purpose of the cabinet council is to help families seeking government services…by streamlining and coordinating existing services for families seeking assistance for their children.

6/5/20163 Communities have many “players” working individually with youth and families….

We are about bringing the individual players together so to effectively impact children and families

OFCF Cabinet Council – Past, Present, Future

History of OFCF Cabinet Council Then Developed state and local Interdepartmental Cluster Services for Youth Cluster focused on multi-system children From Placement Funding to Community Based Funding Now OFCF Cabinet and county FCFCs Service Coordination focused on multi-need children Access to Better Care Reclaim Governor Celeste Intersystem efforts for multi-system children

History of OFCF Cabinet Council Then Created OFCF Cabinet and 88 county FCFCs in statute Local decision-making and input into policy Emphasis on parent involvement and responsibility Strong private sector investments on multiple initiatives, including HMG and emphasis on counties being able to access federal and other non-state dollars for services and programs. Strong emphasis on early childhood and prevention Funds to develop Service Coordination Mechanism, state pooled funds for county service coordination needs (Cluster $); Family Stability funding Now OFCF Cabinet and county FCFCs remain H.B. 289, First Lady visits FCFC Family Representatives; Family Network Meetings Lack of private sector investments HMG; Creation of the Early Childhood Cabinet Updated SC Mechanism; no funds to support local service coordination needs but instead have ABC and FAST funding Governor Voinovich All children will enter school ready to learn

History of OFCF Cabinet Council Then Built structure of OFCF with increased state level positions until 2003 when 12 positions ended Continued existing initiatives focused on early childhood, prevention, and out of home placement reduction until 2003 when significant funding ended; Sponsored a model (PfS) to assist counties in planning with an emphasis on child well-being through commitments and indicators H.B. 289 passed requiring planning and reporting on child well-being based on the success of PfS Established P-16 Councils and WIA Boards Became initiative focused, instead of looking at priorities, issues, policies Now OFCF Staff of 7 positions remain Access to Better Care and Help Me Grow initiatives PfS has developed based on local lessons learned to a community capacity building model with 44 counties County HB 289 Plans and 1 st year Reports P-16 councils and WIA Boards continue Becoming priorities, issues, and policy focused again Governor Taft Enabling every child to succeed

History of OFCF Cabinet Council First Lady chairs OFCF Cabinet Relationships established through 88 County FCFC Visits by First Lady and OFCF Cabinet Directors Cabinet studies purpose and value of FCFC Cabinet’s work being prioritized based on First Lady FCFC Visits’ Challenges and Issues PfS continues; HB 289 plans and reports submitted by counties; Service Coordination continues, ESCORE for service coordination data collection and analysis; ABC initiative; HMG Governor Strickland 2007-present

OFCF Cabinet Vision A community-based seamless system of care for families and children needing assistance.

OFCF Cabinet Mission A partnership of state and local government, communities, and families that enhances the well-being of Ohio’s children and families by building community capacity, strategically coordinating systems and services, and engaging and empowering families.

OFCF Cabinet Guiding Principles 1.Families are at the center of service planning and system design. 2.The uniqueness within families and communities is valued and respected. 3.Mutual respect for professional knowledge-base and competencies amongst partners guides decision-making. 4.Services and supports are built on a seamless continuum from prevention through treatment, including points of transition. 5.Decisions regarding service planning and system design are data informed and evidence based.

13 OFCF Core Functions Shared Accountability for OFCF’s Vision Coordinate Systems & Services Engage and Empower Families Build Community Capacity

6/5/ Shared Accountability for OFCF’s Vision

6/5/ Accountability Mandates which operationalize FCFC Specifies Cabinet Council and 88 local county councils mandated membership and responsibilities Outcome Focused

OFCF Cabinet Council Membership Governor & Governor’s Office First Lady, Chair ODADAS ODA OBM ODE ODH ODJFS ODMH ODMRDD ODYS ODRC

6/5/ Cabinet Council’s Role to: Make recommendations to the governor and the Ohio General Assembly regarding provision of services to children; Advise and assess the coordination of service delivery to children; Develop programs and projects to encourage coordinated efforts at the state and local level;

County FCF Council Membership County Commissioners At least 3 parents not employed by an agency on FCFC ADAMH Board or ADAS and CMH Boards General Health District City Health Department CDJFS PCSA MRDD Board Largest school district School district representing all other districts Largest municipal corporation DYS Head Start Help Me Grow / Early Childhood Collaborative Group Non Profit agency Others

19 County FCFC’s role to : Evaluate and prioritize services for children and families Fill service gaps where possible and invent new approaches to achieve better results Maintain an accountability system to monitor progress in achieving results Develop and oversee the Help Me Grow system Refer children for whom the county council cannot provide adequate services to the Cabinet Council for assistance.

6/5/ Engaging & Empowering Families

6/5/ Family Engagement with FCFCs At least three family representatives are members on FCFCs who: are not employed by an agency represented on the council, and whose families are or have received services from an agency represented on the council. Where possible, the number of members representing families shall be equal to 20% of the council’s membership.

6/5/ FCFC Roles with Family Engagement A key role of FCFCs is to ensure ongoing input from a broad representation of families who are receiving services within the county system.

6/5/ FCFC Family Representative Roles Family representatives have an opportunity to model for other parents and consumers of services, how to work in partnership with public and private agencies to help children reach their potential.

6/5/ FCFC Family Representative Roles The family representative role is fulfilled through a number of activities that may include: Actively participating in FCF C meetings by expressing family insight on the impact of proposed policies or programs. Educating other families and stakeholders about the FCFC’s work; Advising the FCFC in developing a process for successfully identifying and training potential family representatives; and, Assisting FCFC members to partner more effectively with families.

6/5/ OFCF’s Family Engagement Efforts Current efforts to support family engagement include :  OFCF Cabinet Council Advisory Board which requires three family representatives  Biannual regional family network meetings  Training provided on the “Making Room at the Table” curriculum  Exploration of creating a Center or Network for Family Engagement and Empowerment

26 Building Community Capacity

6/5/ Capacity Building Framework: Partnerships for Success PfS is the cornerstone of Ohio’s model of community capacity building. –Mobilizes and strengthen the cross-system planning and implementation capacities of county FCFCs. –Reduces duplication of effort between and among state and local agencies. –Makes better local decisions that lead to smarter investment of public dollars. –Evaluates the impact of county investments with an eye toward accountability. –Provides for long-term sustainability of effective state and locally sponsored programs and services.

28 House Bill 289 Achieving Better Outcomes for Children OFCF Cabinet Council and the 88 FCFCs must plan and annually report progress on improving child well-being that focus on:  Expectant parents and newborns thrive  Infants and toddlers thrive  Children are ready for school  Children and youth succeed in school  Youth choose healthy behaviors  Youth successfully transition into adulthood

Restoring Prosperity FCFCs have the capacity and opportunity structure to assist communities in restoring economic growth and prosperity among its citizens. Mobilize citizens, businesses, foundations, and stakeholders around key elements impacting the well-being of a community (schools, public safety, workforce, and physical landscape)

6/5/ Coordinating Systems & Services

6/5/ FCFC Service Coordination: A Recipe for Success Shared philosophy about the way services should be delivered to children and families Collaborative infrastructure supported by policy and funding mechanisms Services and supports unique to a family-driven plan

6/5/ Service Coordination Mechanism ORC (C) What’s in the law? Each county develops a county service coordination mechanism. The county service coordination mechanism shall serve as the guiding document for coordination of services in the county.

6/5/ FCFC Service Coordination Each council must have a referral process. Families, agency staff and schools must be notified of and invited to all family service coordination plan meetings.

6/5/ FCFC Service Coordination Families may initiate a family service coordination plan meeting. Families may invite a family advocate, mentor, or support person to participate in service coordination plan meetings.

6/5/ FCFC Service Coordination A family service coordination plan meeting must be conducted for each child receiving service coordination and for whom an emergency out-of-home placement has been made or a non-emergency out-of-home placement is being considered. Nothing overrides or affects decisions of a juvenile court regarding an out-of-home placement, long-term placement, or emergency out-of-home placement.

6/5/ FCFC Service Coordination Each council must monitor the progress and track the outcomes of each service coordination plan requested in the county Confidentiality of all personal family information is protected. A needs and strengths assessment must be done. Parents and custodians must have the opportunity to participate in that assessment. The local dispute resolution process must exist and be explained to the family.

6/5/ Family Service Coordination Plan Designates service responsibilities. Ensures plans are responsive to the strengths and needs of the family, as well as the family’s culture, race, and ethnic group. Designates an individual, approved by the family, to track the progress of the plan, schedule reviews, and facilitate the service coordination plan meetings. A comprehensive family service coordination plan must be developed and….

6/5/ Family Service Coordination Plan Ensures assistance and services are responsive to the strengths and needs of the family, as well as the family’s culture, race, and ethnic group Provides assistance and services in the least restrictive environment possible. Includes a process for dealing with a child who is alleged to be an unruly child and how to divert from juvenile court Includes timelines for completion of goals Includes a short-term crisis and safety plan

6/5/ Family and Children First Councils Local FCF councils are in a unique position to support the ongoing development of youth by maximizing opportunities to coordinate services which focus on the youth’s individual strengths and needs.

6/5/ The Challenge Developing a process collaboratively that works in each community.

What We Have Learned from the 88 County FCFC Visits 1.Substance Abuse and Mental Health 2.Flexible Funding, including RFPs/grants 3.FCFC Audits 4.Early Childhood, that includes Help Me Grow 5.Medicaid/Managed Care 6.Juvenile Justice/Offender Reentry 7.Kinship Care/Older Adults 8.Education and Employment Issues for Youth Transitioning 9.Autism, Developmental Delays, and Dual Diagnosis 10.FCFC Local Leadership

THANK YOU!! Ohio Family & Children First