Carole Wilcox Child Safety and Prevention Manager - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Carole WilcoxChild Safety and Prevention ManagerMNDHS Child Safety and Permanency Division

Minnesota: One State’s Journey

March 6, 2014

Slide2

OverviewMinnesota Context

Influence of Child Welfare Reform

Development process

Integration of Components

Successes and Challenges

Slide3

Minnesota Public Child Welfare System

State-supervised, locally-administered structure; 87 counties

Eleven federally recognized Tribes – 2 American Indian Child Welfare Initiative Tribes

State with highest share of local property taxes for child welfare

Differential

Response continuum responding flexibly and proportionately to the severity of safety concernStatewide Structured Decision Making and MN CW Training systemDisproportionately involves children of color and American Indian children

Slide4

Minnesota Child Poverty

Based on 3-year averages from the American Community Survey (ACS)

Federal poverty level developed in 1960’s set out $17,170 for a family of 3. Currently approximately $19,000 yet

i

gnores cost of child care, housing, and changing family structure

Slide5

American Indian Children

African American Children

Almost 6 times more likely to be reported as abused or neglected

14 times more likely to experience out-of-home care

5 times more likely to be state wards who were adopted from guardianship

Over 3 times more likely to be reported as abused or neglected 4 times more likely to experience out-of-home care 3 times more likely to be state wards who were adopted from guardianshipMinnesota Comparisons of DisproportionalityComparisons to White Children - 2012

Slide6

Previous Current

Expert

based system that sought to diagnose, repair and monitor families using sanctions when necessary to achieve compliance to a

model

Safety

focused system maximizing partnership with families - respects and employs the strengths and resources available in families and their communitiesSignificant Practice Shift

Slide7

What We Believe About FamiliesFamilies are more than the problem being

presented

Families are the experts and community connections matter

All

behavior is purposeful

so listen to understandMany families have challenges that are atypical, temporary, or transitionalHaving problems is normal and the family can find another way with helpThe past cannot be changed but building on strengths and protective factors will leverage a better futureResponding to trauma early through relationship-building and supports is key

Slide8

Lessons Learned - Child Welfare Reform Research

Decrease in re-reports of child maltreatment

Improved family satisfaction

Increase in protective factors

Increased utilization of services

Positive worker attitudesDecrease in the rate of foster care placement

Slide9

Children in Out-of-home Care per 1,000 in Child Population by Race, 2003–2012

In

2012, 11,453

children spent some time in out-of-home care. The total number of children who experienced out-of-home care has decreased

25

percent since

2003.

Slide10

Influences on Development of Practice ModelBy 2009, Differential Response was fully implemented and early intervention pilot was complete

Learned that resources

+ strength based solution focused interventions = improved outcomes

legislation passed 2005

Integrated in MN CW training system

Developed funding mechanism and formulaIdentified data to track on public dashboardMinnesota institutionalized these changes into a formal practice modelShared publically as the touchstone for practice and policy decisions

Slide11

Outside Facilitation Key

Pursued guidance

from the

National Resource Center on Organizational Improvement

concerning restructuring

MN child welfare training and quality assurance systemsPositioning Public Child Welfare Initiative (PPCWI) guidance from American Public Human Services AssociationExternal facilitationBrought knowledge of other practice modelsKnowledge of effective group processFreed all parties to be full participants

Minimized misperception of one entity controlling process or outcome

Resulted in ease in reaching agreement on principles and values

Slide12

Partners Involved

Primary

partners in implementing the practice model

MN

DHS (child services director, program managers and supervisors and training & quality assurance consultants

)County administratorsTribal social service directorsRepresentatives from several Universities and CollegesParent leaders as past service consumersOmbudspersons for African American, Hispanic and Native American families. Multiple participants vs. manageable group size

D

ay

time meeting logistics made it difficult for

youth to participate

Slide13

Preparation

Facilitator

provided information on

practice model significant

elements, values & principles, necessary skills and

desired outcomesState staffexamined other state practice models to give context and background for the groupdeveloped a draft to start discussioncovered practice values, principles and skills representing the practice orientation that had been developed over the past 10 yearsPaid special attention to

values & principles, skills, administrative practices, and service

array variation

Slide14

MN Practice ModelPolicy statement sets the tone for strength-based focus

Sets out how families are best served in Minnesota

Engaging their protective capacities

Recognizing and employing strengths

Maintaining important connections – cultural and community

Addressing immediate safety and ongoing risks to the child

Slide15

MN Practice ModelViewed as a roadmap created from lessons learned

Outlines desired outcomes for families

Sets out values, principles and skills that direct practice in the public child welfare system

Slide16

Identified SkillsEngaging

Assessing

Partnering

Planning

Implementing

EvaluatingAdvocacyCommunicationCultural Competence

Slide17

Foundational Skill of Engaging

Trust – to have the firm belief in the reliability of someone

Empathy - to understand and share the feelings of another

Listening – to give one's full attention

Curiosity – to remain open to other possibilities

Slide18

Foundational Skill of Engaging

Be honest and genuine when interacting

Help

the family to understand the

social worker role

Provide full disclosure and use self-disclosure as fittingBe transparent regarding the process and protocolListen and remain curiousBe solution focusedBuild on exceptions and help to re-create the circumstances that supported competenceWorries vs. ProblemsCommunicate hope and expectancyBe active in recognizing strengths

appreciate

what they are coping with and a

cknowledge what they have already

done

note the positives at the earliest point of the continuum

Slide19

Protective Factors Across Continuum

Concrete Supports in Times of Need

Social Connections

Parental Resilience

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Children’s Social and Emotional CompetenceNurturing and Attachment

 

https://

www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/guide2013/index.cfm

ACYF 2013 Resource Guide, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Slide20

Practice Model Cross Walk with Disparity Reduction Strategies

Legislation, Policy Change, Finance Reform

Human Service Workforce Development

Practice Change

Public Will and

CommunicationYouth, Parent, and Community Partnerships Research, Evaluation, and Data-informed Decision-makingPolicy Action to Reduce Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in Child Welfare: A Scan of Eleven States; Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare; 2008

Slide21

Systemic Benefits of Practice Model

Provided a clear understanding of the Child Welfare System’s mission and the practices that support it

Eased further integration of components in training and quality assurance efforts to prepare child welfare staff and their agencies to carry out that mission

Formalized lessons learned to

encourage transparency about changes made

clearly articulate these changes for internal and external stakeholders and the publicSet clear standards to assess related outcomes and integrate with continuous quality improvement

Slide22

Successful IntegrationChallenges Looking Back

Included in Parent Leadership for Child Safety and Permanency Team orientation and training

Constituent communication in various forms

Foundational to social worker and resource family training

Developed public website and communications materials

Printable brochure; website; wall postersIncluded in coursework with university partnersOmitted the key skill of screening to identify developmental and health needs for childrenSustaining knowledge requires continual reminders, attentiveness and refresher trainingMissed out on the voice of youthTrauma-informed lens was overlookedtrauma experienced by all family members should be addressedsocial and emotional needs for children

Building Upon MN Successes and Challenges

Slide23

J

Carole Wilcox

Interim Manager

Child Safety and Prevention

651.431.4701

carole.wilcox@state.mn.us

MN Child Welfare Practice Model

http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-5881-ENG