CAPTA: Lessons Learned

1. CAPTA: Lessons Learned WV Birth to Three

2. Setting the Stage • The Department of Health and Human Resources is the umbrella agency for: • Bureau for Public Health • WV Birth to Three • Bureau for Children and Families • Child Protective Services

3. CAPTA Legislation • 2003- Child Protective Services and WV Birth to Three entered into discussions on how to implement CAPTA in West Virginia • Key decisions: • Child Protective Services will not implement screening option • All children will be referred directly to WV Birth to Three • Training of CPS personnel and WV Birth to Three personnel should occur regionally/locally in regards to referral process to WV Birth to Three

4. CAPTA Implementation - CPS • Child Protective Services • Utilized WV Birth to Three referral form to design “Referral to WV Birth to Three Program” form to insure key referral information is provided at referral • The West Virginia CPS system provided training to CPS personnel on new policies and procedures

5. CAPTA Implementation- WVBTT • One statewide training to local lead agencies (Regional Administrative Units) • Regional training to field focusing on service coordinators • Training to WV Birth to Three Trainers and Regional Technical Assistance Coordinators

6. Data Analysis- First Look • Approximately 1000 children under the age of three were found to have substantiated abuse-FY 2002 • As a result of CAPTA, WV Birth to Three has experienced significant increases in referrals with CPS as primary referral source • 2001/2002- 89 referrals with CPS as primary referral source • 2006-2007- 515 referrals with CPS as primary referral source

7. Data Analysis – Second Look • Even though WV Birth to Three has seen an increase in the numbers of referrals under CAPTA, only 25% of the families referred proceeded to IFSP • Research sited on NECTAC – nationally only 13% of children with delays who are involved in child welfare receive early intervention • Referrals are clustered in certain counties • Highest referral rate- 33% of total referrals in that county to 0% of total referrals

8. CAPTA - Lessons Learned • Families involved in Child Welfare are in crisis and it may be difficult for them to understand the purpose and possible benefit of early intervention services • Child Protective Service workers have a high turn over rate resulting in on going training needs on CAPTA and linkages to community services and supports available to young children • On- going training, communication and collaboration is essential to success

9. Regional Administrative Unit II • Successful strategies: • Met with local CPS coordinators to share information and identify barriers to collaboration • Offered joint training to CPS/Foster Care Workers • Shared data on numbers of referrals by county in the region

10. Children’s Justice Task Force • Designed one hour training focusing on: • Brain development • Effects of early environment on development • CAPTA legislation (child abuse and neglect, maternal substance abuse) • McKinney- Vento Homeless Act • Referral to WV Birth to Three • What is Part C early intervention • Suggestions for how we can work together

11. Current Strategies and Activities • Local lead agencies continue to contact and provide regional and local training Child Protective Service/Foster Care Workers • Encouraging local leads to offer training jointly with CPS and WV Birth to Three personnel to enhance the working relationships • WV Birth to Three State office provided training to the local lead agencies on the revised CAPTA training • Local lead agencies are so busy, having this tool will greatly assist in the training occurring

12. Current Strategies and Activities • Collaborate with State CAPTA coordinator to move training content to Web CT course for CPS workers and early intervention providers • CPS/Foster Care training is mostly provided on Web CT • Web CT course can be used for new employees and as refresher course

13. Questions?????????