Caregiver Parent Education Group Family and Children’s Services to address caregiver retention...

Caregiver Parent Education Group

Family and Children’s Servicesto address caregiver retention rates within MCDSS

Betsaida GarciaSpring 2015

Mission:

● Prevent child abuse and neglect

● Keep children and youth safe from harm

● Provide stable and permanent home

Services provided:

● 24-hour Child Protective Services

● Foster Care Services

● Adoption Services

● Pathways to Safety

● Family to Family

● Child Abuse Prevention Council

Agency DescriptionFamily and Children’s Services

(CDSS, 2007)

Problem Description

• Decrease in caregiver retention rates within Child Welfare Agencies

• Contributing to the national shortage of caregivers

• Gap of support, preparation and resources provided

• Inadequate preparation to meet children’s needs

• Children move from home to home

• 30%-80% children show emotional and/or behavioral problems

(Chipungu, 2004) (Cohen, 2010) (Kidscount, 2011)

Project Description

Caregiver Parent Education Group (CPEG)

● Non-concurrent caregiver psychoeducational cluster group

● Supportive group by opening the floor for personal experiences and/or questions

● Informative group by providing necessary facts and tips about case processes

| once a month | drop-in | 1 hr 45 mins | free of charge | continental breakfast | childcare provided |

EvaluationOpen-discussion and post-surveys

● Level of competence and comfort within the support system

● Caregiver indicates that he/she is well informed

● Caregiver indicates he/she had time to discuss feelings

● Number of available caregivers for placements

Conclusion

● Caregiver retention rates increase with support

● Better opportunities for fit placements

● Healthy future for those individuals and our communities

● Primary purpose to support caregivers and children

Recommendations

● Distribute pre-surveys to agency professionals

● Refrain from promising or insinuating uncertain services

● Keep an optimistic attitude for a growing retention rate of caregivers

Improve the quality of the fostering experiences for both adults and children

References

• CDSS. (2007). The California Department of Social Services. About CDSS: History of CDSS. http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/PG190.htm

• Chipungu, S. S., & Bent-Goodley, T. B. (2004). Meeting the Challenges of Contemporary Foster Care. The Future of Children, 14 (1), 74.

• Cohen, J. L. (2010). Enhancing retention of foster parents: The role of motivational interviewing. (Order No. 3423736, The University of Arizona). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 103. http://search.proquest.com/docview/759964365?accountid=10355

• Kids Count. (2011). Data Snapshot on Foster Care Placement. A Project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kidscount.org

Questions?

Thank you