Using an Institutional Analysis to Identify Systemic Barriers to Racial Equity in the Child Welfare System Fresno Coun

2. After 1st bullet flip forward to next slide. Then come back to talk about Dispro committee, transparency and Cathi � don�t know answers but am committed and there is no turning back.After 1st bullet flip forward to next slide. Then come back to talk about Dispro committee, transparency and Cathi � don�t know answers but am committed and there is no turning back.

3. Data clearly demostrates over-representationData clearly demostrates over-representation

5. Fresno has the answer�next slide�not so muchFresno has the answer�next slide�not so much

7. We knew that we had only skimmed the surface. We knew we had to get a better understanding of how our system impacted families. Thought going deeper with case reviews might shine a light.We knew that we had only skimmed the surface. We knew we had to get a better understanding of how our system impacted families. Thought going deeper with case reviews might shine a light.

8. What is an Institutional Analysis? An analysis is a qualitative methodology that uncovers how a particular outcome is produced. The analysis looks at the GAP between what a child, youth, or their families need in order to be safe and what the institution is set up to do� 8

9. PRESUME� every worker is coordinated and organized to think about and act on cases in institutionally authorized or acceptable ways 9

10. Foundations of the InstitutionalAnalysis It�s the system, not individual workers. Institutional view of clients is rarely neutral. �One size does not fit all� when working with families. Institutional changes can improve outcomes for families. 10

11. 11 Institutional Analysis Framework

12. 12 African American Family/Community

13. 13 Problematic Practices

14. 14 Outcomes

15. Institutional Analysis Process June-November 2009 ~ Review of Data and Big Picture Interviews with 13 individuals including agency leadership, juvenile court judge, community partners, technical assistance providers, etc. November 2009 ~ In-depth Case-Based Analysis of 6 Cases including interviews with 49 individuals.

16. IA Process Cont�d December 2009 Individual interviews with 60 agency social work staff, private providers and community partners; 18 observations including juvenile court, parenting classes, team meetings and shadowing workers; 12 focus groups (parents, youth, guardians, attorneys, foster parents, social workers, cultural brokers); guided review of 32 case files.

17. 2010 Racial Equity Action Plan Highlights Provided Racial Sobriety training to entire workforce to increase awareness of each individual�s opportunity to mitigate bias. Established a Quality Supervision approach which supports supervisors in modeling, coaching and guiding Fresno social workers to continuously develop and enhance their engagement and teaming skills with families. Implemented visitation contracts that include expanded visitation hours (9am-8pm, Monday through Saturday and Holidays) in the neighborhoods in which our clients reside. Rolled out Joint Community Response practice (strategy which involves a coordinated joint response between a social worker and a Cultural Broker and/or Parent Partner) to more successfully engage African American families and conduct a more accurate, up-front assessment of the family�s needs. QS � Case Reviews, reflective practice guides, PTM brochure, practice profiles, etc. Visitation in community and expanded hours JCR � huge success and valuable partnership Other Major Steps Taken Post IA Integration of Child Welfare Divisions Community Preparation for release of IA report Community Response and Support QS � Case Reviews, reflective practice guides, PTM brochure, practice profiles, etc. Visitation in community and expanded hours JCR � huge success and valuable partnership Other Major Steps Taken Post IA Integration of Child Welfare Divisions Community Preparation for release of IA report Community Response and Support

18. Key Findings Gap between the county�s intent and the actual outcomes that the families experience. Limited understanding of the unique strengths and problems faced by African American families. Intervened through universal, rather than individualized assessments and service plans.

19. Key Findings Cont�d Services tended to be centrally located in Fresno, rather than in the communities and the operating hours were inconvenient. Minimal support of parents to achieve economic stability by linking them with other available services. Workers not directed to proactively and consistently find permanent families for older youth.

20. Major Steps Taken Post Release of Final IA Report Specialized Staff All Staff Trained on Quality Family Engagement and Teaming Practice Round Tables Domestic Violence Classes Community Resource Specialist Linkages Racial Equity Sub-Committee Structure Specialized Staff � knowing families (compartmentalized) move towards integration and changes that aid in knokwing family better. All Staff Trained on Quality Family Engagement and Teaming Practice Round Tables �ongoing assessment of system Domestic Violence Classes � no more business as usual�find what works and meets family�s unique needs Community Resource Specialist � id and coordination of services, link families Linkages � connect into other DSS services Racial Equity Sub-Committee Structure � designed to move remaining F&R forward, structure under construction� Specialized Staff � knowing families (compartmentalized) move towards integration and changes that aid in knokwing family better. All Staff Trained on Quality Family Engagement and Teaming Practice Round Tables �ongoing assessment of system Domestic Violence Classes � no more business as usual�find what works and meets family�s unique needs Community Resource Specialist � id and coordination of services, link families Linkages � connect into other DSS services Racial Equity Sub-Committee Structure � designed to move remaining F&R forward, structure under construction�

21. Key Advisors � Review RFP, Vision, Mission, Goals, etc. Once accomplish goals may be collapsed and new group form, some groups have long term work to do. Key Advisors � Review RFP, Vision, Mission, Goals, etc. Once accomplish goals may be collapsed and new group form, some groups have long term work to do.

22. What�s Next? California Partners for Permanency 5 Year Federal Grant Goal is to reduce long-term foster care for African American and Native American youth Fresno is one of four pilot counties The other 3 counties (& 10 replication counties) will participate in an Institutional Analysis. Knowing Who You Are Racial Sobriety Coaching Kinship Support Grant This will be followed by an overview of the findings and recommendations of the Institutional Analysis that was conducted in Fresno County in late 2009 and the current efforts to reform the system to achieve the desired outcomes for all families.� Context for how this work is being explored on a state wide level will also be shared. This will be followed by an overview of the findings and recommendations of the Institutional Analysis that was conducted in Fresno County in late 2009 and the current efforts to reform the system to achieve the desired outcomes for all families.� Context for how this work is being explored on a state wide level will also be shared.

23. Practice & Training Implications Implementation Science Training alone doesn�t have impact ~ Coaching is critical Adjusting System to meet intervention � not other way around (e.g. TDM) Adaptive Leadership/Supervision

24. To learn more about the Institutional Analysis visit www.cssp.org or email kristen.weber@cssp.org For a copy of Fresno County�s full report: http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Departments/Children_and_Family_Services/PDF/Institutional%20Analysis%20101910.pdfFor questions related to Fresno County�s Institutional Analysis please contact:  Howard Himes (559) 600-2306 hhimes@co.fresno.ca.us  or Wendy Osikafo (559) 600-2355 wosikafo@co.fresno.ca.us