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Child Welfare Transformation

Child Welfare Transformation. Implications for Children and their Families in Leeds & Grenville. Introduction to MCYS Child Welfare Transformation. Transformation Agenda Overview - the 7 key priorities:. A more flexible intake and assessment model

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Child Welfare Transformation

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  1. Child Welfare Transformation Implications for Children and their Families in Leeds & Grenville

  2. Introduction to MCYS Child Welfare Transformation Transformation Agenda Overview - the 7 key priorities: • A more flexible intake and assessment model • Court processes/strategies to reduce delays and encourage more effective permanency planning • A broader range of placement options to support more effective permanency planning • A rationalized and streamlined accountability framework • A sustainable and strategic funding model • A Single Information System • A provincial child welfare research capacity.

  3. Transformation Guiding Principles • Outcome Focused – in the areas of child safety, permanency and child well-being • Balanced Service Approach – emphasize child safety but build on family & community strengths, prevention, early intervention & continuity of care & relationships for children • Research Based – Best practice, research and evaluation will be a major focus • Sustainable and Flexible – Services to be flexible to meet diversity needs, Services to be equitable but sustainable ($) • Accountable and Integrated – The way services will be evaluated will be via results for clients, not just what services we provide. Child welfare outcomes will be measured within and between sectors .

  4. Approaches to Child Welfare in Ontario The Scoop - 1960’s to Mid 70’s Child Deaths Media DOS Paper Gov’t Change Research-Based, Collaborative Best Practice Approach Outcome focused, Evidenced based, Strength-based, Collaborative Relationships with Clients “Research will guide and inform best practices” TransformationA Chance for the Field to Influence the Pendulum Swing Prototypical Worker Darth Vader? Prototypical Worker Polyanna? Children as Chattel 1950’s & Earlier Failure of the State as a ‘Parent’ Family Preservation 1980’s to 2000 ORAM era 2000 to 2005 Blind Faith/Optimistically Naïve Approach “All parents know what is right for their children” or It is not the parents fault” & signs of safety are ignored Liability Focused, Inspectoral Approach Think Dirty, Deficit-based, Adversarial & Formulaic Transformation 2005 +…? “Trust us, we are the professional experts on child safety ” “Trust at all costs that the parents can & will keep their child safe” R Pagnello, 2005

  5. Intake & Assessment : ‘Differential Response’ • The Differential response model for Ontario is designed to have different streams for cases based on the nature of the case and level of severity. • CAS will continue with a ‘forensic’ investigative approach for extremely severe cases (~20%) of the cases coming in the door. • For the other 80% that are initially assessed as moderately severe, there will be a different stream which will more frequently include referrals to appropriate collateral services

  6. Differential Response • Provides alternative responses to increase options for delivering services • Focus on client engagement – getting families to ‘see the need for change’ in a more proactive way than the forensic model encourages • More collaborative, family-centered approach for those cases. • Greater involvement of informal (extended family and friends) and formal (community professional) supports for the family.

  7. Proposed Differential Response Model for Ontario Child Welfare Referral Eligibility Spectrum & Child’s Vulnerability Extremely Severe 12 hour response Moderately Severe 7 day response Low Severity Referral out or no Response Safety Assessment & Safety Plan If Family Wants Service Closed to CAS - Referral to Other Community Service If Family Does not Want Service Closed to CAS no referral If Extremely Severe Protection Investigation, Risk Assessment, Strengths Based Child & Family Assessment (60 Days) If Moderately Severe Modified Protection Investigation, Strengths Based Child & Family Assessment (60 Days) Traditional Child Protection Services + Expanded? Community & Child Welfare Outcome Interventions Where Possible Expanded? Community & Child Welfare Outcome Interventions Expanded? Community Services No Community Services Red Font denotes required change from current process &/or availability of services.

  8. Differential Response • Family Centred Conferencing is based on the belief that families are experts on their own children, families can make decisions and solve their own problems if provided with the opportunity and support. Mechanisms to encourage: • Family Group Conferencing • Family Group Decision making • Family Team meetings • Family Team Decision meetings • Family to Family Circle of support • Shared Parenting meetings etc. • Wraparound type services

  9. Differential Response Structured Decision-Making Tools • Eligibility Spectrumremains with some changes (probably around ‘Adult conflict’ to ‘Domestic Violence’ cases) • Safety Assessment for all cases (one pager) + brief narrative section • Risk Assessment for all cases – Actuarial model (one pager) • Risk Re-assessment(actuarial one pager)a more meaningful format at Family Services at six month intervals which tracks progress of family • Child & Family Strengths and Needs Assessment– a comprehensive, social work assessment – under review – will there be time to complete? • Reunification Re-Assessment – acts as a guide in planning for re-unification • Reunification Safety Assesment – one pager thatconsiders 8 protective factors supporting the decision to return home • Decision-Making Trees or Response Trees – worker guides

  10. Research - What are the Most Influential Contributing Factors Contributing to Positive Change in the Therapeutic Process? How can we most effectively Impact the Change Process? From“No More Bells & Whistles”Miller, Hubble & Duncan

  11. Expanded Permanency Planning Options – ‘Pillars of Permanence’ • Admissions prevention • Kinship Out of Care • Kinship in Care • Customary Care • Legal Custody • Foster Care • Adoption • Youth Leaving Care

  12. Permanency Options • Admission Prevention • Maintain children at home or effect reunification by providing financial assistance e.g. CAS may be able to access funding for financial assistance, for things such as clothing, rent, transportation, respite to prevent admission to care under Supervision order and possibly voluntary service • May also be provided to extended family supporting the child and the family.

  13. Permanency Options • Kinship Out of Care • Early involvement of extended family (may start at initial referral) and Family conferencing will support children being cared for with the extended family. • CAS may be able to offer financial assistance to supplement Ontario Works for Admission prevention purposes • May be CAS funding for staff support to ‘kin’

  14. Permanency Options • Kinship in Care • Involvement of extended family at Intake • Involvement of kin in case planning • Flexibility in homestudy – CPIC & CAS checks still required • Specialized support • Foster Care rate could be paid

  15. Permanency Options • Legal Custody • CAS application for CLRA custody order under revisions to the CFSA • Order is reviewable under the CLRA • Custody could be granted to: parent, kin, community member, foster parent • CAS pays subsidy to supplement Ontario works up to foster care rate • Youth retains ECM eligibility • Post Placement support • Child would be discharged from CAS care to the permanent guardian’s care

  16. Permanency Options • Foster Care • Foster parents better supported financially and via staffing to adopt or assume legal custody of children in their care • Funding flexibility to invest in improved supports to foster homes (mental health assessment and counselling, respite, educational supports).

  17. Permanency Options • Adoption • Openness in adoption (likely a year off +) • Use of mediation • Increased public awareness, shared services with other CAS’s • Subsidies ranging from ‘special needs’ to per diem basis • Post adoption support from CAS/other services

  18. Permanency Options • Youth Leaving Care • Post legal custody eligibility for ECM • Increased ECM rate/financial assistance • Funding for new scholarship fund • Partnering with Canada Learning Bond (RESP)

  19. Court Processes & Alternatives to Court • Alternatives to Court or Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) including: • Mediation • Family conferencing – neutral facilitator • Family conferencing – we facilitate • Mediation circles • Collaborative family law approaches • Provincially recognized best practices • Our current approach enhanced?

  20. Accountability & Sustainable Funding Model • Multi-Year Results Based Planning will increase expectations for agencies providing accountability data to the MCYS and Community • MCYS Will look at efficiency – how dollars are spent as well as effectiveness – what outcomes are achieved • Will require that all agencies do much more information collection and analysis on services provided. • The focus on results will drive services – all service providing agencies in the community will continue to need to advocate for the right results to focus services on.

  21. Current Accountability Mechanism for Child Welfare • CFSA Court process ~ 80 cases before the courts at any given time – Counsel for parents & children • MCYS Crown Ward review • MCYS Licensing Review • R.P.A.C. review process • Accreditation • Civil Courts • MCYS service audits e.g. Child Abuse • Inquest process • MCYS Service Integrity Audit • Child Advocates Office • Etc.

  22. Outcome Measurement & Evaluation of Services • Establishment of the Research & Outcomes Measurement Branch of MCYS clearly indicates the move towards emphasizing outcomes, evaluation and research. • Each sector will have key target areas and measurement strategies that will be reviewed by the Ministry and likely linked to funding • The initial key areas in child welfare will likely include but not limited to, Trocme’s Child Welfare Matrix:

  23. Child Welfare Outcome Measurement - Trocme’s Child Welfare Matrix: • Child Protection/Safety: • Recurrence of Maltreatment • Serious Child Injury / Death • Child Functioning/Well-Being • School performance (grade level graduation) • Child behaviour (risk scales, YCJA charges) • Permanence • Placement Rate • Placement Stability (Moves in care) • Permanence Rate (Time permanent placement) • Family & Community Support • Number of Family Moves • Parenting capacity (risk assessment scales) • Ethno-cultural placement matching

  24. Research Agenda • The MCYS is setting aside a modest amount of dollars to support research initiatives related to Child Welfare and broader based client outcomes studies. • This is an opening to prove to funders and the community that what we are doing works.

  25. Single Information System • All CAS’s are moving to a single information system that will be used consistently across the province replacing IFRS, CWIS and all other systems now in place. • Will take approximately three years to complete • Bob was co-chair of this significant project and will remain involved • Karynn is co-chair of the legal committee

  26. What This All Means • Child Welfare is on the verge of change (again!). • It will involve some strong planning and organizing at all levels of our work and within the community. • It is at the same time exciting and anxiety producing but … • We have a strong history of managing and in this case, anticipating the need for change – we are much further along than many jurisdictions. • If this is done well and funded adequately, outcomes for clients should be enhanced

  27. Collaborative Program Efforts between CYWC & F&CS Currently • MST • CPR • ITTM Effective Differential Response approaches ensure that: • Families identified by Child Welfare receive timely service from children’s mental health centres. • Access to service in the home/immediate community is of critical importance particularly in a large rural area such as Leeds Grenville. • Face to face contact is maximized as it enhances relationship which in turn enhances opportunities for positive outcomes

  28. Multi-Systemic Therapy • MST has been in operation at CYWC for over 5 years • Outstanding results at maintaining high risk youth in their homes and out of protective care. • Feedback from Family and Children’s services has been consistently high, particularly in relation to the programs ability to attend to their highest risk families in a collaborative manner. • Recently, we have experimented with direct referrals by family services staff at FCS to MST. • As well, a high percent of CPR transfers are into MST. • Families at high risk of breakdown cannot wait lengthy periods of time to access intensive services and this practice should be expanded. • Program capacity will be the limiting factor in this area.

  29. Multi-Systemic Therapy – Outputs and Client Outcomes

  30. Community Prompt Response • The goals of the C P R program, as stated in the Collaboration Agreement signed in June, 2005 include: • More families receive services more quickly • Improved/increased communication among partners • Satisfied clients • Family stabilization • Move toward integrated service response and delivery

  31. Community Prompt Response Services funded to provide these goals include: • Community outreach and mobile response • Expedited intake • Brief, solution focused treatment (6-8 weeks) • Ecological assessment: holistic assessment of each child/youth and family • Integrated case management and service navigation • Service coordination with partners • Resourced, collaborative approaches to produce the best plans for clients

  32. Community Prompt Response In the 8 month period between April and November 2005, the CPR program has responded to 60 referrals Family and Children’s Services were active in 82%. Of these, 35 were direct referrals from FCS.

  33. Community Prompt Response Services have been provided in family homes and have been family and/or parent focused utilizing a cognitive-behavioural approach to treatment.

  34. Next Steps Provincially • Revisions to CFSA, regulations, standards etc. will continue with the possibility for a late spring proclamation • Secretariat will continue their work until March 2006 • U of T conducting clinical tests on the Structured Decision making tools • Differential Response model to be finalized in early 2006 • OACAS will revise relevant training curriculum • Single Information Working committees continues

  35. Next Steps for CAS • Prepare for possible revisions to the CFSA • Continue work on SIS • Differential Response & revised Risk Assessment model - prepare for finalized version February 2006 • Permanency planning options – Implement LAC – develop a more infused approach to permanency planning • Court – explore mediation possibilities locally • Community begin to discuss changes with community partners – January 2006

  36. Next Steps for Leeds-Grenville Agencies • Think collaboratively. Plan across sectors. Act without silos. Communicate. • Partner with each other and with MCYS. Involve the community. • Look at ways to innovate, demonstrate what works and how to improve quality of life for children and their families. • Increase staff ‘face time’ with clients wherever possible.

  37. CMH CMSM OEYC Best Start CCare YCJA VAW DevS CW PHU CDC SBrds MCYS – Regional Cross-Sector Transformation Planning Leeds-Grenville Zone Planning Table (Led by Cross-Sector Committee Structure) MCYS Regional Planning Table (Supported by Regional Coordinator 1/4/06)

  38. Possible Next Steps for F&CS & CYWC • Joint Visioning Exercise?

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