Moving Toward a Child Welfare Practice Model in California

1. CWDA CHILDREN’S COMMITTEE SUMMER WORKSHOP Moving Toward a Child Welfare Practice Model in California

2. Key Messages • Today is a starting point – the first step of the process • There will be many more opportunities to review and revise moving forward • Moving toward a practice model that integrates successful practices , Building on all the great work people are already doing across the state • Goal to create a plan moving forward for the development of a consistent statewide approach that allows for county flexibility • Step-by-step process for moving forward will be concrete and achievable with a realistic timeline.

3. Framework for the Workshop • Guiding Vision • California’s 58 counties embrace one practice model that guides their individual Child Welfare Services programs by integrating successful practices into a framework that supports the achievement of safety, permanency and well-being for children and their families in the Child Welfare Services system.

4. Workshop Objectives • Participants work together to agree on or modify the elements of a California Practice Model that builds on the work of Katie A and CAPP • Participants work together to understand what is needed to implement a practice model in their own jurisdictions • Participants identify a plan for moving forward after the Workshop

5. Moving Forward After the Workshop • This Workshop is a first step that will result in plans to move forward that will help us realize our Guiding Vision • Goal and Objectives: • Work together after the July 2013 Workshop to implement the California Practice Model in all counties • Identify resources necessary to assist counties in implementing the Practice Model • Identify funding to support statewide and county efforts • Identify technical assistance that will support counties in their implementation efforts

6. Welcome • Kelly Woodard • DirectorMadera County Department of Social Services • CWDA Children’s Committee Co-Chair

7. Opening Remarks • How We Got Here and Why • Diana Boyer, Senior Policy AnalystCounty Welfare Directors Association of California • DeAnna Avey-Motikeit, DirectorSan Bernardino County Department of Children and Family Services

8. Keynote Presentation • National Perspective on Practice Model Development • Anita Barbee, ProfessorKent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, KY • Christine Tappan, Child Welfare Information Gateway

9. County Conversation Panel (Part 1) • Why we adopted a Practice Model Approach: • Fresno: Joy Cronin, Wendy Osikafo • San Diego: Debra Zanders-Willis, • Los Angeles: Jonathan Byers • Facilitator: Barrett Johnson, CalSWEC

10. Guiding Principles for Our Work • To provide a forum for all counties to discuss and work towards agreement on the fundamental pieces of a statewide Practice Model •  Participants work together to agree on or modify the elements of a California Practice Model that builds on the work of Katie A and CAPP • The July Workshop is a first step that will result in plans to move forward that will help us realize our Guiding Vision

11. Webinar Recap Part 1 • Melissa Connelly, CalSWEC • Theoretical Framework • Values and Principles

12. Theoretical Frameworks • Emphasize the logical connection between the practice model and the desired outcome (links them in a provable way) • Summarize the conceptual approach for the practice model and uses evidence to explain how the approach will address specific needs • Provide a rationale for making the investment in changing practice

13. For Example - The Colorado child welfare system, in partnership with families and communities, will protect children and youth by striving to achieve their safety, permanency, and well-being. This mission will be achieved by consistently and effectively: • engaging families; • collaborating with federal, state, local, and tribal entities; • practicing in a culturally responsive manner; • safely reducing out of home placement • providing individualized services that strengthen children, youth and families and remove barriers; and, • developing a competent, professional, responsive and accountable staff.

14. Values and Principles Values and principles work together to reflect the theoretical framework and form the path from theory to practice. • Values are an expression of an ideal or optimal state of being. • Principles share a more detailed operationalization of the value and give an idea of what the value would look like in practice.

15. For Example - From Minnesota -- • Partnership: • Families, communities, and the child welfare system are primary and essential partners in creating and supporting meaningful connections in a safe and nurturing environment for children and youth. From New Hampshire -- • All children, youth and families deserve a life of well-being. • We partner with families and the community to identify and provide services for the specific needs of individual children, youth and families.

16. Breakout Discussions: Theoretical Framework • Room Assignment: Colored Star on Name Badge and Room Sign: • Gardenia Room---Blue • Beavis Room---Green • Clark Room—Yellow • McGinnis Room—Red • Royal Room--Purple

17. Plenary Report Out • What Worked? • Anything Missing? • What Can Be Improved? • Suggested Framework Modifications?

18. Table Talk: Values and Principles • Table talk questions • Prioritization • Synthesis—Follow-up Work

19. Day 2: Welcome Back • Recap Day 1 • Theoretical Framework • Reflections from Our Keynoters • Input from Participants • Values and Principles—Next Steps • Report from Support Partners

20. Webinar Recap, Part 2 • Melissa Connelly, CalSWEC • Casework Components and Practice Elements • Practice Behaviors

21. Casework Components • Describe key casework functions that the practice model will address. • Link the model to specific casework tasks such as • Engagement • Assessment • Service Planning • Monitoring and Adapting • Transition

22. Practice Elements • Begin to express details about HOW the model proposes to embody its values and enact its theoretical basis at the practice level. • Link the model’s values and principles to the core aspects of practice that are essential to the model’s success.

23. For Example - From Washington -- • Family assessments are conducted with each family: • A non-judgmental attitude, respect, active listening skills, cultural sensitivity and an awareness of power differences are demonstrated with the family. • Child safety risk and protective factors and family issues are identified, discussed and prioritized with the family. • Assessment begins with the first family contact, and continues throughout agency involvement with the family. • Family member strengths and needs are assessed in a social/cultural systems context. • Assessment information and observations are openly shared with the family.

24. Practice Behaviors • Add even greater detail to the practice elements. • Provide direction to practitioners about how they will practice social work using the practice model. • Are specific enough to be observable and recognizable to all parties involved. • Provide a basis for understanding of the expected practice so agency and community partners can create coordinated supports. • Provide a basis for evaluation of model fidelity and outcomes.

25. For Example - From Colorado -- • Consistent and meaningful contact with children and families includes continuous assessment of all family members in regards to safety, risk, and the family service plan. From the Katie A. CPM -- • Be diligent in reaching out to children and families in ways that are welcoming, appropriate and comfortable for them.

26. Breakout Discussions: Practice Elements and Components • Gardenia Room---Red • Beavis Room---Blue • Clark Room—Yellow • McGinnis Room—Green • Royal Room--Brown

27. Plenary Report Out: Practice Elements and Components • Additions • Deletions • Modifications

28. Breakout Discussions: Practice Behaviors • Gardenia Room---Red • Beavis Room---Blue • Clark Room—Yellow • McGinnis Room—Green • Royal Room--Brown

29. County Conversation Panel, Part 2 • What is Needed for Implementation of a Practice Model: • Fresno: Joy Cronin, Wendy Osikafo • San Diego: Debra Zanders-Willis, Roseanne Myers • Los Angeles: Phillip Browning, Jonathan Byers

30. Closing Remarks • How Far Down the Road Have We Gone? • What Are Our Next Steps? • Whom To Involve as We Move Forward?

31. Possible Path to Statewide Model

32. Why It Is Important to Be Intentional About Our Work