521: QSR Training: “Refresher Session”

1. 521: QSR Training: “Refresher Session”

2. Learning Objectives Identify the core components of PA’s Child Welfare Practice Model Describe the roles and responsibilities of being a QSR reviewer. Explain the core components of the QSR Protocol, scoring, and providing feedback. 2

3. Agenda Welcome and Introductions Core Components of Pennsylvania’s Child Welfare Practice Model Roles and Responsibilities of a QSR Reviewer Interviewing Refresher Indicators and Scoring Feedback Questions, Next Steps, and Closing 3

5. What is Your Role? Each pair of reviewers will conduct casereviews: • Case file review • Interviews • Roll-Up Sheet • Provide feedback to the caseworker (and supervisor) • Present scoring rationale and recommendations at the Case-Specific Team Debriefing • Complete a QSR Written Case Review Summary. Reviewers may also be invited to attend the Exit Conference.

6. Responsibilities of a QSR Reviewer Rate results/outcomes, not intentions (except Practice Performance Indicators 1a and 8). Remember that this is a review of the system, not individual caseworker; Rate the current child/youth status, not the past or future (unless required by the parameters of the indicator). Follow the principles of the Practice Model and give feedback in a constructive way, including improvement needs, as well as strengths. 6

7. Interview Refresher: Prior to the Interview • Review the interview schedule and identify potential questions. • Identify the lead interviewer and note taker for each interview. • Remember that you are a reviewer who is responsible for evaluating the system, not a caseworker responsible for case management. • Tune into self- Get in touch with feelings/concerns and beliefs/values. • Learn something about the interests of the child/youth to better engage him/her.

8. Interview Refresher: During Each Interview • Clarify purpose and roles • Recognize family strengths • Be patient with family stories • Listen more than talk • Use QSR questions andindicators to keep you on track • Always ask about the child’s safety • Gather information, do not identify solutions • Avoid leading questions

9. Interview Refresher: After the Interview • Do not share information between interviewees • Resist reaching conclusions/scoring before all interviews • Note areas needing confirmation or follow-up • Contact your Site Lead and/or next interviewee if you are running behind • Contact your Site Lead to arrange any additional interviews you.

10. Child/Youth and Family Status Indicators • Safety: Exposure to Threats of Harm • Safety: Risk to Self/Others • Stability • Living Arrangement • Permanency • Physical Health • Emotional Well-Being • Early Learning and Development • Academic Status • Pathway to Independence • Parent or Caregiver Functioning

11. Practice Performance Indicators • Engagement Efforts • Role and Voice • Teaming • Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness • Assessment and Understanding • Long-Term View • Child/Youth and Family Planning Process • Planning for Transitions and Life Adjustments • Efforts to Timely Permanence • Intervention Adequacy and Resource Availability • Maintaining Family Relationships • Tracking and Adjusting

12. What Time Period is Considered in Scoring? Child/Youth and Family Status Indicators look at the past 30 days • Exceptions are: Stability and Academic Status Practice Performance Status Indicators look at the past 90 days • Exceptions are: Planning for Transitions and Life Adjustments and Efforts to Timely Permanence • NOTE: Recent performance improvements have some influence on scores

13. How are Cases Scored? • Each indicator is scored on a scale of 1 – 6 • 6 – Optimal • 5 – Substantial Acceptable Range • 4 – Fair • 3 – Marginal • 2 – Poor Unacceptable Range • 1 – Adverse • Maintenance Zone: 6-5 • Refinement Zone: 4-3 • Improvement Zone: 2-1

14. The Central Scoring Rules Focus on the Focus Measure and Core Concepts in each indicator. Read each indicator’s instructions: Stay within the time-based observation windows associated with each indicator. Rate indicators based on events that have occurred or conditions that were present within the time-based observation window. 14

15. Distinction Between 3 and 4 The Groundhog Rule If this case were frozen in time as it is today, would performance or status be considered acceptable or unacceptable?

16. Feedback Session with Caseworker Explain the purpose Conduct an accuracy check, analysis, and strengths/challenge assessment Note that identification of new facts is common; Identify the strengths of the case Explain findings – Child/Youth and Family Status Explain findings – Practice Performance Invite the worker to offer suggestions for improvement Offer suggestions not identified by the worker 16

17. Case-Specific Team Debriefing: Case Presentation Outline Brief synopsis of the child/youth/family story (2 minutes) Child/Youth and Parent/Caregiver Status Indicator Rationale (4 minutes) Practice Performance Indicator Rationale (4 minutes) Next Steps (2 minutes) Group Questions/Feedback (3 minutes)

18. Purpose of Written Case Review Summary Explains the “story” behind the data by providing the detailed qualitative information to support the findings Provides feedback to Caseworker/Supervisor and local leadership Provides an effective training tool

19. Written Case Review Summary Important reminders: Style Content Final Review

20. Site-Specific QSR Information Shared • QSR Review Team Pairings • Dissemination of Case Summaries and Interview Sheets • Parking • Security • Weather • Other 20

21. Questions/Answers This is an opportunity for QSR Reviewers to ask any additional questions that they might have concerning the material that was reviewed.