1. Framing Child Welfare Practice in California Continuum of Care Reform, Resource Family Approval, Quality Parenting Initiative, and Katie A.

2. Purpose of Training Provide an overview of Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) and the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process, Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) and Katie A. Identify the values and practice behaviors within these initiative and how they intersect with the California Child Welfare Core Practice Model (CPM). Provide staff with information on the required RFA Program, in preparation for statewide implementation on January 1, 2017. Provide a framework for foster care reform (CCR) and how it will positively impact foster youth. 2

3. Learning Objectives Turn to page 7 in your Trainee Guide Knowledge Skills Values 3

4. Agenda Introduction to the California Child Welfare Core Practice Model (CPM) Why reform the system? Continuum of Care Reform Vision Paradigm Shift Key Components Core Services Intersection with Katie A. Resource Family Approval Background and History Key Messages and Core Elements The new system Permanency for Children Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) Katie A. Pathways to Wellness Bringing it all Together: Linking Initiatives Wrap Up 4

5. The Framework: The California Child Welfare Core Practice Model (CPM) The California Child Welfare Core Practice Model (CPM) is a guiding framework for California’s Child Welfare community. A Practice Model articulates how each youth and their family will be engaged when they come in contact with the child welfare system anywhere on the continuum using a child and family team.

6. Existing and Emerging Initiatives California Partners for Permanency (CAPP) Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) Family to Family Katie A. Linkages Parent Partners Quality Parenting Initiative(QPI) Resource Family Approval Process Safety Organized Practice (SOP) Wraparound 6 CPM provides the “FRAME” for these initiatives

7. Evidence- Informed Organizational Support Permanency Safety Growth and Change Cultural Responsiveness Partnership Professional Competency Well- Being Respectful Engagement …This is What We Believe Practice Model Core Values We believe… 7

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9. Casework Component s: This is What We Do 9

10. Practice Elements: This is How We Do It! Engagement Inquiry/Exploration Advocacy Teaming Accountability Workforce Development and Support 10

11. 11 CPM Value: Children and youth are safe, have a loving permanent family, and are supported to achieve their full developmental potential. We provide the supports necessary to keep children and youth safe from abuse and neglect. We build permanency for all children and youth so that every child and youth has a lifelong, loving, permanent, legal family. We work to help families function at their best and to assist children and youth to achieve their full developmental potential.

12. 12 CPM Value: We work in partnership with families, youth, foster parents, communities, tribes, and service providers. We value the family’s experiences and perceptions and build partnerships based on mutual respect and trust. We work with families to facilitate their role as decision makers and safety planners for their children. We partner with communities and tribes to promote the use of services that are community / tribe-based and employ formal and informal support systems.

13. 13 CPM Value: Children and youth maintain attachments with family members, friends, community, culture, and tribe. We work to keep families together and support ongoing relationships with siblings, extended family members, and mentors. Placement in out-of-home care happens only when all other options to ensure safety have been exhausted. We work with families, communities and tribes to place children and youth with people they know and in their home community or tribe.

14. 14 CPM Value: We are transparent and open in our work with children, youth, families, tribes, communities and service providers. We value mutual honesty, transparency, and accountability in our work with children, youth, families, tribes, communities, and service providers. We listen, communicate, and honestly share issues, concerns, and progress in our interactions and this is reflected in all reports.

15. 15 CPM Value: Our system and interactions are grounded in cultural humility. We engage in ongoing efforts to ensure our interactions indicate our cultural humility, our respect for the family’s culture, our interest in learning from the family about their culture, and our work to identify and address institutional and personal bias.

16. 16 CPM Value: We believe in the potential for change in families and in ourselves. We believe that families can grow and change to promote their own safety and well-being. We engage in continuous quality improvement in an environment of learning and development in our agencies and among our workforce. We listen and learn from children, families, partners, and each other and work together to support self-reflection, critical thinking, individual and organizational development, humility, and improvement.

17. 17 CPM Value: Effective services and supports are available to meet family needs. We work with families and communities to identify, advocate for, link, and support use of evidence-based, trauma-informed, individualized, needs-driven, strengths-based services and supports. We consider research evidence; professional expertise; and family and community/tribe values, preferences, and circumstances as we work with families to make service plans. Timely, culturally relevant, family-driven services are accessible and available.

18. 18 CPM Value: We have a healthy, competent, and professional workforce. We work to support the health, safety, and professional development of staff. We believe in quality recruitment, staff development, training, and support.

19. Why Reform? We can assume we want to improve outcomes for foster youth. What else are we trying to improve? 19

20. Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) “Continuum of care” refers to the spectrum of care settings for youth in foster care, from the least restrictive and least service-intensive to the most restrictive and most service-intensive.

21. Transforms group homes into a new category of congregate care facility defined as Short-Term Residential Treatment Programs (STRTPs). Updates the assessment process so that the first out-of-home placement is the right one. Strengthens training and qualifications for resource families providing care to foster youth and congregate care facility staff.

22. Revises the foster care rate structure. Requires STRTPs and treatment foster family agencies to be certified by counties through their mental health plans. Establishes core services and supports for foster youth, their families, and resource families. Evaluates provider performance.

23. All children live with a committed, permanent and nurturing family. Individualized and coordinated services and supports. Focus on permanent family and preparation for successful adulthood. When needed, congregate care is a short-term, high quality, intensive intervention that is just one part of a continuum of care available for children, youth and young adults. CCR Vision 23

24. Publically Available Performance Data Collaborate with placing agency in: Assessment Case planning Placement selection Child & Family Team 24 CCR Vision: All children live with a committed, permanent and nurturing family. Services and supports are tailored to meet the needs of the individual child and family being served with the ultimate goal of maintaining the family or when this isn’t possible, transitioning the child or youth to a permanent family and/or preparing the youth for a successful transition into adulthood. When needed, group home care is a short-term, specialized and intensive intervention that is just one part of a continuum of care available for children, youth and young adults.

25. The child, youth and family’s experience is valued in: o Assessment o Service planning o Placement decisions Children shouldn’t change placements to get services. Cross system and cross-agency collaboration to improve access to services and outcomes. Recognizing the differences in the probation system and among other groups of youth. CCR Guiding Principles 25

26. Group Home Therapeutic Residential Services Programs (aka STRTP) The “Paradigm Shift” Children who cannot be safely placed in a family can receive short-term, residential care with specific care plans and intensive therapeutic interventions and services to support transition to a family. 26

27. Resource family approval by counties, Foster Family Agencies (FFAs) and Therapeutic Residential Services Settings. Funding for support, retention, recruitment and training of resource families & relatives. Foster Family Agencies provide Core Services: o Trauma Informed o Culturally relevant o Accreditation through COA, CARF & JCAHO. o May provide core services to children in county approved families and relatives. Updated and expanded training requirements across provider and caregiver categories. Increasing Capacity for Home-Based Family Care 27

28. Transition County Shelter  Temporary Shelter Care Facility Group Home  Therapeutic Residential Services Settings that provide Core Services: o Trauma Informed o Culturally relevant o Capacity to transition to children to family care by approving resource families. Limited Use of Congregate Care 28

29. FFAs and Therapeutic Residential Services Settings make available core services either directly or through formal agreements: o Access to specialty mental health services. o Transitional support services for placement changes, permanency; aftercare. o Education, physical, behavioral and mental health supports. o Activities to support youth achieving a successful adulthood. o Services to achieve permanency & maintain/establish family connections. o Active efforts for ICWA-Eligible children. Core Services 29

30. National Accreditation. Cross Departmental Oversight Framework. Evaluate provider performance along common domains. Youth, caregiver and stakeholder satisfaction surveys. Public transparency of provider performance. Oversight, Accountability & Provider Performance Measures 30

31. New provider rate structure: Sunset RCL system (1-14) A single Therapeutic Residential Services Settings rate (IV-E) A tiered resource family care rate structure based on level of need for the resource family and resource family agency Therapeutic Residential Services Settings rate will not be blended with Title XIX (rates for mental health services is status quo) Therapeutic Foster Care Rate (Katie A.) New Provider Rate Structure 31

32. Multi-year implementation: o New requirements take effect 1/1/2017. o Provisions for extensions up to two years. o Additional extensions for providers and longer for those serving probation youth. Therapeutic Residential Services Settings and FFA may be public or private. Design a new program audit that aligns with required program and treatment competencies and accreditation standards; coordinates program, fiscal, and health & safety reviews (DHCS, CCLD, CDSS). 32

33. CCRRFAQPI Activity: How does CCR fit within the CPM framework? 33

34. CCR Core Practice Elements Key Elements of Practice County interagency placement councils Family Team Decision‐making meetings Family involvement in comprehensive assessment and planning processes. Provider and placement agency agreement on case plan Accountability system of checks and balances Values and/or Principles Youth and family voice Trauma‐informed services Caregiver training Constant focus on permanency 34

35. Focus Element: Increased Engagement Child & Family Team(CFT) is a key component of CCR which falls under the CPM practice elements of Teaming and Engagement. 35

36. Teaming: The Child/Family Team 1.A Child/Family Team (CFT) will conduct an assessment to determine what services are necessary for the child/youth to achieve safety, permanency and wellbeing. 2.The CFT will create a plan which “hinges” on three determinations: a)Which is the least restrictive, most appropriate family-based or placement setting? b)What are the Services and Supports necessary to achieve legal or emotional permanency? c)What are the Treatments and Therapies (mental health services) necessary for the child/youth to achieve wellbeing? 3. Service providers will be held accountable through performance data. 36

37. Resource Family Approval (RFA) 37

38. Background and History RFA Legislation sponsored by CWDA in 2007. Expanded through Senate Bill 1013 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2012). AB 403 Chaptered on October 11, 2015 (Chapter 773, Statutes of 2015) Requires all counties and foster family agencies implement RFA January 1, 2017. Requires all existing licensed and certified homes become Resource Families by December 31, 2019.

39. RFA is… Streamlined: It eliminates the duplication of existing processes. Unifies approval standards for all caregivers regardless of the child’s case plan. Includes a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, home environment check and training for all families, including relatives. Prepares families to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system. Allows seamless transition to permanency.

40. Key Principles: The RFA Program will eliminate duplication, coordinate approval standards, and provide a comprehensive assessment of all families. A Resource Family shall be considered eligible to provide foster care for related and unrelated children. 40

41. RFA is part of the Continuum of Care RFA strengthens training and qualifications for resource families providing care to foster youth. RFA is part of the CCR and will help ensure there are well trained and adequately equipped families ready to receive children transitioning from STRTP’s.

42. Resource Family Guardianship Family Foster Family Adoptive Family Relative/ NREFM Tribally Approved Homes 42

43. Components of RFA

44. In a Nutshell….What is a Resource Family? Individual or couple that a county determines to have successfully met both the home approval, the application, and assessment criteria necessary for providing care for a child or non-minor dependent. The term Resource Family incorporates terms such as foster parent, relative caregiver, adoptive family, guardian family, and relative/non-relative extended family member.

45. How will this all come together? State and County Responsibilities

46. State’s Responsibility [ W&IC 16519.5 (f)(1)-(9) ] 46 Administer RFA through issuance of Written Directives. Monitor county systems and operations. o Review a sample of resource families for compliance with approval standards. o Review county reports of serious complaints and incidents. o Investigate unresolved complaints against counties. o Require corrective action of counties not in full compliance. Prepare and submit updates to Legislature.

47. County’s Responsibility [W&IC 16519.5(g)(1-11)] 47 Ensure staff have appropriate education and experience. Approve or deny Resource Family applications and rescind Resource Family approvals. Monitor Resource Family on continual basis by requiring Resource Families to: Meet and maintain approval standards. Comply with corrective action plans. Report incidents consistent with reporting requirements in Written Directives. Investigate complaints against Resource Families and take necessary action. Provide Resource Families information on due process. Conduct annual updates to Resource Family’s approval.

48. Activity: Current System Reflection Current SystemNew System 48

49. What does this mean for you? County Adoptions/Licensing Workers County Relative Approval staff Private adoption agency staff Social Workers, Supervisors and Managers Family and Child Files Probation Staff Support Staff Tribal Staff

50. RFA – WHAT CHANGES? One approval standard for all Resource families including adoptive families: o One application. o One criminal background check. o Combined assessment. o Pre- and post-approval training for all families. Emergency Placement Approval Compelling Reason Options

51. RFA – CHANGES FOR… Relative Approvals Pre-approval training required. Stricter background clearance requirements. Health screening assessment. Permanency assessment. Approved to take all children, not just relative children. All the components combined allow the worker to evaluate and make a determination for the approval.

52. RFA –CHANGES FOR… Licensed Homes Pre-approval training is now completed in a mixed group of relatives who may have placements and traditional unmatched families. Permanency Assessment means family is approved for guardianship or adoption up front.

53. RFA – CHANGES FOR…For Adoptive Homes Training required for all families. Annual updates required.

54. RFA – What does not change? CCL standards for home environment requirements – medications, firearms, bodies of water, capacity, bedrooms etc. Criminal background clearances are still required for all adults. Tribal staff working with tribal approved homes - Tribally approved homes are not required to adhere to the standards set forth in the Written Directives.

55. CDSS is changing too! Written Directives will continue to be revised. Forms will continue to be revised and developed. Licensing is becoming RFA by adding and training staff. o Holding focus groups with county staff to get input and suggestions. o Consult with CDSS legal regarding oversight and due process. o Helping their staff transition to RFA ideology.

56. CCRRFAQPI Abc 123?? Activity: How does RFA fit within the CPM framework? 56

57. RFA Core Practice Elements One application & background check. Combined home environment and permanency assessment. Pre-approval and post-approval training for all families. Placement procedures for child prior to resource family approval Emergency placement. Compelling Reason. 57

58. Permanency for Children How do our initiatives help support permanency for children?

59. More Support for Permanency: The Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) QPI is a statewide approach to recruiting and retaining high quality caregivers who provide excellent care to children in California’s child welfare system by rebranding foster care, not simply by changing a logo or an advertisement, but by changing the core elements underlying the brand. http://www.qpicalifornia.org/

60. QPI Underlying Principles The Foster Parent “Brand” is seriously damaged. We can’t create a new brand without reassessing the role of foster families. A new brand is useless without changes in practice. A quality foster parent brand is core to the success or failure of the child welfare system.

61. What is a Quality Caregiver? Quality caregiver is a full partner in a team supporting the healthy development and achieving permanency for children who cannot live with their parents. The specific job of the caregiver is to provide high quality parenting by assuming many of the roles of the child’s parents and provide for the child’s needs while the child is in their home. Provide the foster child: food, shelter, medical care, education, safety, support, encouragement, reassurance, self-esteem, self-worth, security, structure, and love; consistent with the needs of the child. When appropriate to mentor the biological parent(s). Maintain a lifelong commitment to the child wherever he or she lives.

62. Approach and Process Through a collaborative process we are rebranding foster parenting by articulating expectations. Working with biological families. Acquiring additional training. Working in partnership with agencies.

63. QPI Core Practice Elements Key Elements of Practice Clear expectations of caregivers Articulated expectations Alignment of system and goals Values and/or Principles Negative connotations of the brand make recruitment and retention difficult. Branding requires all stakeholders to agree on foster parents roles and responsibilities. System changes must support those expectations and be implemented by the people whom they affect. Change is a continuous process. Meaningful recruitment only occurs after substantial practice changes are accomplished. 63

64. Katie A. v. Bonta Lawsuit Class action lawsuit filed in federal district court in 2002 concerning the availability of intensive mental health services to children in California who are either in foster care or at imminent risk of coming into care. Ensures creation of the Core Practice Model to ensure provision of services delivered in a coordinated, comprehensive, community- based fashion. Ensures that some children with more intensive mental health needs (“subclass”) received enhanced services (Intensive Care Coordination, Intensive Home Based Services, and Therapeutic Foster care). 64

65. Katie A.: Pathways to Well-Being – Core Values Child safety. Children have permanency and stability in their living situation. Services are needs-driven, strengths-based and tailored to each family. Services are delivered through collaboration of multiple agencies and the community. Child/youth and family voice and choice are prioritized. Services are a blend of formal and informal resources. Services are culturally relevant. 65

66. Katie A. is its own Core Practice Model! Engagement Teaming Assessing Service Planning and Intervention Monitoring and Adapting Transition 66

67. Together, these efforts work to build the capacity of the continuum of foster care placement options to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in home based family care. This increased capacity is essential to successfully moving children out of congregate care. Bringing it all Together 67

68. What else will help our reform? Developing a healthy, competent and professional workforce. Providing supportive practice tools such as in the Safety Organized Practice (SOP). Understanding trauma informed concepts. Continuous Quality Improvement and qualitative case reviews. 68

69. Wrap Up Any questions? 69