Child and Family Services Division January 2014

1. Child and Family Services Division January 2014 Child Intervention Practice Framework AASCF Annual Conference 2014

2. Child Intervention Practice in Alberta • Child Intervention practice in Alberta has, by evolution, become collaborative • A child intervention practice framework is a natural and expected continuation of a commitment to improving outcomes for children and families

3. The Evolution of Practice • Alberta Response Model (ARM) • Created a community-based approach by focusing on: differential response, early intervention, community partnerships, permanency planning, family involvement, and evaluation and measurement. • Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act • This legislation embedded the tenets of ARM while also acknowledging the importance of helping Aboriginal children and youth preserve their identity, the importance of permanency for children, the role of child intervention in preserving the family and the use of alternative dispute resolution. • Casework Practice Model • The model outlined task-specific policies and procedures to support the philosophy of family-centred practice and child-centred outcomes. Key pillars to the model included: assessment, engagement, collaboration, and permanency.

4. The Evolution of Practice (cont’d) • Outcomes Based Service Delivery (OBSD) • Offered unique opportunities for reflective practice for caseworker and service providers in a shared practice approach. • Child Intervention Practice Framework • The next logical step in the Child Intervention practice –basing practice on affirmed guiding principles. • Children First Legislation

5. Alberta Response Model (2001) • Shifted the focus of child intervention to a community-based approach. • The following concepts became focused on in practice: • Differential response • Early intervention • Community partnerships • Permanency planning • Family involvement • Evaluation and measurement

6. Child, Youth, Family Enhancement Act (2004) • Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (2004) created: • Increased focus on supporting families to build capacity . • Increased focus on need for permanency for children. • Meaningful consultation with Aboriginal communities • Highlighted the importance of Assessment, Collaboration and Engagement • Allowed for the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ie: mediation)

7. Casework Practice Model (2006) • Child Intervention is mandated by the legislation and guided by the Casework Practice Model. • The model focuses on Assessment/Analysis, Engagement, Collaboration, and Permanency. • The model has built-in decision points where supervisor consultations are required to determine next steps.

8. Outcomes Based Services Delivery (OBSD) • Formally launched in 2008 in partnership with the contracted agency sector as an initiative to improve the effectiveness and measurability of services children and families receive as they move in an out of the child intervention system. • 3 components: • Collaborative Practice • Flexible Contracting and Funding • Data about the outcomes of services provided • Aligns with the four domains of the National Outcomes Matrix • Safety • Well-being & Development • Family and Community Capacity • Permanency • Currently 14 phase-in sites operating with over 2000 referrals provincially.

9. Child Intervention Practice Framework • A well-defined practice framework supports everyone involved in Child Intervention, provides confirmation that their work is important and valued, and guides their efforts to achieve the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children, youth, and families • A practice framework outlines the core principles that underlies our approach to working with children, youth, families, and communities • Alberta is in the development phase

10. Developing the Framework • Child Intervention Practice Think Tanks held in May and June 2012 identified key practice elements • Meta-Analysis of 40 reports, reviews and consultations • Creation of Working Principles and vetted through organization and practice leaders • Planning document and Working Principles presented to PET for feedback • Principles embedded in the pilots with the Front end Practice Working Group

11. Meta-Analysis • In order to inform the Child Intervention Practice Framework’s guiding principles, an analysis of 40 reports from public consultations, systemic reviews, data analysis, and staff surveys from the past 5 years was completed. • This meta-analysis includes the input from 20,000 Albertans. • The information was combined and themed. It was then broken down in two ways: • A blended analysis • Themes from the Aboriginal Engagement and Strategy Division’s Community Conversations specifically broken out against all of the other inputs

12. Reports • Some of the 40 reports included in the meta-analysis: • Social Policy Framework public engagement • Aboriginal Engagement and Strategy Division Community Conversations • Alberta Child Intervention Review Panel • Summary of the Comments and opinions of the Child Intervention Think Tanks Conversations • External Expert Panel review • First Nation Practice Standards • ACSW Flourishing in Child Protection • Corporate Employee Survey • Reaching our Full Potential • Alberta Incident Study • Office of the Child and Youth Advocate • Annual reports • Youth Aging out of Care Special Report

13. Meta- Analysis themes • Workplace Competencies • Hiring practices, worker competencies, workplace culture/satisfaction • Early Intervention • Knowledge about leading practice to proactively engage with the complex problems families face with the goal of preventing challenges from escalating to crisis • Cultural Engagement/Competency • Collected evidence about respecting the Indigenous and multi-cultural populations we work with. Information that illustrates how practice must be guided by knowledge of the effects of colonialism and recognition of Indigenous and multi-cultural ways of being.

14. Meta- Analysis themes • Outcomes • Collected feedback that reinforces our move towards evidence based practice, outcome measurement/focus, a commitment to data and research supported decisions. • Engagement with Caregivers • Feedback that emphasizes how we must work closely and improve communication with caregivers to ensure our services effectively support our clients and those that we work with to deliver services. • Community Engagement • Collected information that indicates we must collaborate and share information with partners in the agency sector and internally within GoA. Evidence that we should actively involve community members in our work and planning for the future.

15. Themes from meta-analysis

16. Working Principles

17. CIPF Working Principles • Aboriginal Experience • First Nations, Métis and Inuit people have always had their own ways of ensuring that vulnerable members, including children, are safe and protected. We honour this by recognizing their expertise in matters concerning their children, youth and families. • Preserve Family • We believe children and youth should be safe, healthy and live with their families, therefore we focus on preserving and reuniting families and building on the capacity of extended family and communities to support children, youth and families.

18. Working Principles (cont) • Strengths-Based • Our approach is reflective, culturally responsive and strengths-based. Because all families have strengths and resources, we recognize and support the right and responsibility of parents to share in the decision-making process for them and their children. • Connection • Children and youth are supported to maintain relationships that are important to them, be connected to their own culture, practice their religious beliefs and, for those in care, have a plan for their care where they are included in the decision-making process.

19. Working Principles (con’t) • Collaboration • We are child-focused and family-centred. We collaborate with families, community agencies, and other stakeholders in building positive, respectful partnerships across integrated multidisciplinary teams and providing individualized, flexible and timely services to support these efforts. • Continuous Improvement • We share and use information appropriately. Our approach is outcome-oriented and evidence-based therefore we support innovative practice, monitor our performance and strive for continuous improvement.

20. How does it fit? • A number of current initiatives with Government and the Ministry of Human Services tie into the work of the Practice Framework and address the component pieces: • Social Policy Framework • Children’s Charter • Reaching our Full Potential • Outcome Based Service Delivery • Leveling the Playing Field • Signs of Safety • Program Review Strategies (ie: front end working group, reconnection of youth, group/residential care) • Cultural Competencies

22. Future Directions • Pre-engagement process for the review of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act is starting. • Legislative review scheduled for 2015. Information from CIPF engagement and its principles will help shape the legislative review. • Front-line staff will continue to inform the Child Intervention Practice Framework (CIPF) through engagement sessions and pilots throughout the province. • Incorporation of the CIPF principles into practice, policy, training, and hiring practices

23. Examples of Principle-based practice • Outcome Based Service Delivery • Front End Strategies • Signs of Safety Approach • Family Group Conferencing • Early Intervention

24. Role of Agencies • The Practice Framework represents a shift in practice. • Impacts entire sector: agency and government. • Agency sector need to learn about the principles and their impact on children, youth, and families. • Support the implementation of principles into practice.

25. Outcomes for Children and Youth • Supporting vulnerable children to live successfully in the Community, • Children in temporary care will be reunited quickly with their family, • Children in permanent care will be placed in permanent homes as quickly as possible, • Youth will be transitioned to adulthood successfully, • Aboriginal children will live in culturally appropriate placements

26. Changes in Practice • Connections with our aboriginal partners will be strengthened • Family meetings with be encouraged as families have the responsibility and right to participate in decisions and plans that affect them • Unique individualized plans will be developed and supported • Through the provision of early intervention and prevention services, children, youth and families are better able to address issues earlier on at a community level

27. Discussion Questions • What other changes do you foresee as a result of this shift in practice? • What practice shifts have you already observed? • What barriers or challenges to the shift do you foresee?

28. Thanks for participating! For more information: • HS.CIPracticeFramework@gov.ab.ca • Kim Spicer Senior Manager, Policy, Practice and Program Development Kimberly.spicer@gov.ab.ca • Sandra Maygard Alberta Association of Services for Children and Families smaygard@aascf.com • Julie Mann Program Consultant, Policy, Practice and Program Development Julie.mann@gov.ab.ca