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Implementing Best Practice Standards in Permanency Planning

Implementing Best Practice Standards in Permanency Planning . James Biesecker, MS Sue Cohick, MSW Mike Kovacevic, MS. How long should children wait for permanency?. SWAN History 1992-2000 2000-2003 Mission Assure Permanency for Children. Building the Permanency Framework. SWAN

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Implementing Best Practice Standards in Permanency Planning

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  1. Implementing Best Practice Standards in Permanency Planning James Biesecker, MS Sue Cohick, MSW Mike Kovacevic, MS DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  2. How long should children wait for permanency? • SWAN • History 1992-2000 2000-2003 • Mission Assure Permanency for Children DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  3. Building the Permanency Framework • SWAN • Program Objectives • “systems change” • Collaboration in Decision Making • Best Practices to assist CYS agencies address: ASFA & CFSR • Program Outcomes • A Model for Systems Change • Standards for Best Practice: Safety, • Well-being and Timeliness for Children • Permanency for Children DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  4. Systems Change Model: Best Practice Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  5. Systems Change Model: Level I Participants Best Practice Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  6. Systems Change Model: Level II Participants Best Practice Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  7. Systems Change Model: Level III Participants Best Practice Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  8. Systems Change Model: Level IV Participants Best Practice Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  9. Systems Change Model: Outside Influences *ASFA *CFSR Outcomes *PIP *Concurrent Planning *State Law *SWAN Bulletin and Help Library Best Practice DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  10. Systems Change Model: Best Practice Outcomes Best Practice Tools and Instruments Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  11. Systems Change Model Best Practice Tools and Instruments *ASFA *CFSR Outcomes *PIP *Concurrent Planning *State Law *SWAN Bulletin and Help Library DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  12. Affiliate Pilot Project:Goals • Assess current practice related to the following units of service: Family Preparation/Profile; Child Profile; Placement; Finalization. • Review benchmark data • Make recommendations as to how practice could be improved as it relates to the units of service and impacts safety, permanency, and well-being. DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  13. Significant variances in the process between foster to adopt and “free standing” to adopt Statewide policy has been revised to eliminate the variances Pilot Project Outcomes and Recommendations DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  14. Counties and affiliates had conflicting expectations Benchmarks standardize practice so that Counties and affiliates understand their roles Pilot Project Outcomes and Recommendations DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  15. The goal change to adoption was a problematic “kick-off” point for service implementation Services can now be initiated prior to the child’s goal change to adoption Pilot Project Outcomes and Recommendations DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  16. Counties and affiliates had varying interpretations of terminology The benchmarks define expectations and language. Templates have also been created to provide additional clarity. Pilot Project Outcomes and Recommendations DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  17. There was no standardization to training elements for families The benchmarks define essential components of family preparation Pilot Project Outcomes and Recommendations DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  18. Outside Influences & Best Practice DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  19. Outside Influences • Adoption & Safe Families Act (ASFA) • Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) • PA State Law • PA standards for child welfare practice • Concurrent Planning • SWAN Bulletin and Help Library DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  20. Key Principles Safety is paramount Substitute care is temporary Permanency planning begins as soon as the child enters substitute care Concurrent Planning Timely decisions within the child serving system Innovative approaches Adoption & Safe Families Act DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  21. Bulletin “Roles of Network Participants: Ensure safety and permanency for children in a timely manner” Permanency Benchmarks Clearances References Home safety checklist Child safety assessment / Safety Plan Supervisory visits Safety is Paramount DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  22. Bulletin Permanency includes adoption, kinship care, and Permanent Legal Custodianship. The SWAN Prime Contractor must work in collaboration with all network participants to remove systemic barriers that impede timely permanency. Permanency Benchmarks Individualized Adoption Service Plan (IASP) Child Specific Recruitment Plan Child preparation plan Recipes for Success Post Permanency Services Permanency Planning DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  23. Bulletin Legal risk placements Children without a goal of adoption are eligible for child profile, child specific recruitment, and child preparation services Permanency Benchmarks Child Preparation Plan Concurrent Planning DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  24. Bulletin “All activities conducted through the network are intended to support the timely permanency of children in the custody of county agencies and to support families.” Permanency Benchmarks Timelines Timely Decisions DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  25. Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  26. Strengths Efforts to prevent maltreatment recurrence Ensuring that siblings in foster care are placed together Physical and dental health needs of children are adequately addressed Child and Family Service Review DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  27. Safety items needing improvement per the CFSR Stability of foster care placement Permanency goal for child Reunification, guardianship or permanent placement with relatives Adoption Child and Family Service Review DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  28. Well-being items needing improvement (cont) Needs and services of child, parents, foster parents Child and family involvement in case planning Child and Family Services Review DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  29. Bulletin Legal risk placements The child preparation process must begin at intake, and be in concert with concurrent planning practices. Realignment of foster/adopt services in the regular permanency services at the same payment rates. Permanency Benchmarks Disclosure meeting Review of child information Child preparation plan Stability of Foster Care Placement DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  30. Bulletin Children without a goal of adoption are eligible for services Legal Services Initiative County agencies, at a minimum, semi-annually review the child’s permanency plan, determine if a goal change to adoption is needed….. Permanency Benchmarks Individualized Adoption Service Plan Permanency Goal for Child DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  31. Bulletin Permanency includes adoption, kinship care, and Permanent Legal Custodianship Permanency Benchmarks Family Preparation Family Profile Guardianship or Permanent Placement with Relatives DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  32. Bulletin When a family is interested in adopting a child in the custody of a county agency, the network can help them to obtain timely permanency services. Legal Services Initiative Permanency Benchmarks Timelines Individualized Adoption Service Plan Child Specific Recruitment Plan Adoption DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  33. Bulletin Work in collaboration with all network participants to remove systemic barriers that impede the timely permanency of waiting children Permanency Benchmarks Assigned affiliate worker discusses case with County worker Affiliate worker collaborates with county worker Needs and Services of Child, Parents, Foster Parents DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  34. Bulletin The family profile results have been reviewed with the adoptive applicants Meet with the child to initiate engagement Permanency Benchmarks IASP Lifebooks Child Preparation Plan Child and Family Involvement in Case Planning DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  35. Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  36. PA Standards for Child Welfare Practice • Assessment • Service planning • Service delivery • Monitoring & Evaluation • Management DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  37. Outside Influences DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

  38. Implementing Best Practice Standards in Permanency Planning • Summary • Questions For more information contact: Mike Kovacevic, Family Design Resources 1-888-793-2512 mkovacevic@diakon-swan.org DIAKON Lutheran Social Ministries/Family Design Resources Tools That Work Conference 11/03

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